Winter is settling in, and with it comes a warm invitation to the pristine beaches and luxurious resorts of the Maldives. If one gauges the upcoming flight schedules of Indian Airlines Boost Flights to Maldives, it seems that the Maldivian shores are all set to witness a significant inflow of Indian tourists.
Back in 2018, Indian airlines experienced a robust winter season. Recounting those times, airlines like SpiceJet emerged stronger post their challenges in 2014. IndiGo was proud to showcase its newly inducted A321neo and 50th A320neo. Additionally, Go Air’s decision to begin international services was a commendable feat, albeit slightly delayed as compared to other Indian carriers. The target? The beautiful Maldives. Rapid flight announcements to Male from airlines like Go Air and IndiGo hinted at an evolving trend. And as always, IndiGo’s schedule overshadowed that of its counterparts.
In no time, the Maldives became the favorite backdrop for many Instagram-worthy holiday memories. Prior to this trend, the air connectivity was limited, with sporadic flights from Air India and SpiceJet. But suddenly, a rush of tourists from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad started to change the scene. The affordable travel costs, coupled with the allure of spending those savings on opulent resorts, became an irresistible proposition.
This trend was so entrenched that even during the challenging pandemic times, the Maldives remained one of the top “revenge tourism” destinations for Indians. The dreamy beach holidays, the endless sun, and the overarching FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) in the age of social media had Indian tourists captivated.
Fast forward to the present, the Maldives is gearing up for its second significant wave of Indian tourists. Vistara has already made its flight announcements, closely followed by IndiGo, always up for some healthy competition.
Taking a closer look at the specifics, IndiGo’s aggressive plan covers Male-bound flights from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Mumbai. Notably, their announcement came shortly after Vistara declared its daily departures to Male from Delhi, starting October 31, 2023. Air India, too, is joining the bandwagon with flights from Bengaluru and Mumbai. This aviation hustle promises a daily addition of approximately 500 seats each way, a move sure to be lauded by the Maldivian tourism sector.
The numbers are indeed staggering. The end of 2018 saw 51,000 passengers traveling between India and the Maldives. This number rose to 60,000 the following year, averaging almost 700 passengers daily. The pandemic did cause a slump in 2020, but 2021 broke all records, with a whopping 1.15 lakh passengers flying in the last quarter, amounting to 1,250 daily passengers!
IndiGo’s tenacious strategy stands out in these times. Even when faced with challenges like grounded planes, they continue their relentless expansion. Their destination choices are intriguing, to say the least. However, the looming question is how the dynamics might change with the Maldives undergoing a regime change and its implications on travel protocols with India.
In conclusion, as winter beckons, the Maldives seems ready to embrace its Indian guests. The question is, are you packed yet?