S7 Airlines has launched direct flights from Novosibirsk to the Maldives, marking the first regular service from a Russian city other than Moscow.
The inaugural flight landed at Velana International Airport on Thursday. Passengers were welcomed after the roughly 10-hour journey.
Maldives Airports Company said the airline will operate two flights a week using Airbus A320 aircraft, on Saturdays and Thursdays.
The new route follows official talks during a visit to Russia by Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen. The minister has said seven more airlines are expected to begin flights to the Maldives in the final quarter of this year.
The service starts as the country enters its peak winter tourism season. Direct connections from secondary Russian cities are expected to support visitor numbers from one of the Maldives’ key source markets.
S7 is Russia’s largest private airline. The Novosibirsk flights expand options beyond the existing Moscow services.
