The Maldives’ flagship carrier Maldivian has been authorised to commence operations to Sri Lankan capital Colombo.

The permission was granted to Maldivian in the wake of discussions between the Maldives’ Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer, top officials of Maldivian and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva, according to Mihaaru.

Maldivian operator Island Aviation Services (IAS)’s Head of Administration Ali Nashaath told Mihaaru that the company is currently in the midst of preparing to commence flight operations to Colombo.

“We can announce a date to begin the flights over the next two to three weeks.”

Colombo is one of the main destinations of local travellers for business, medical and vacation trips. Maldivian used to operate flights to Colombo a number of years back.