Mauritius and Maldives Sign Bilateral Air Services Agreement

The Government of Mauritius signed a bilateral air services agreement with the Government of the Republic of Maldives yesterday in Port Louis for the operation of direct air links to improve connectivity between the two countries.

The signatories were the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Xavier-Luc Duval for the Mauritian side and the Minister of Defense and National Security of the Maldives, Colonel (RTD) Mr Mohamed Nazim.

The signing of the agreement follows the recent visit of VPM Duval in Maldives earlier this year, where both Governments expressed their wish and agreed upon concluding a bilateral agreement to building closer networks between the two countries by establishing direct air connectivity so as to tap the emerging tourism market in China especially Beijing and from Africa.

The agreement provides for a multiple designation of airline from both sides and for the time being Air Mauritius in collaboration with the Mega Global Air Services (Maldives PVT Ltd.) and the Island Aviation Services Ltd. of Maldives have been designated to operate direct flights between Beijing and Mauritius, as well as providing direct air links to the Maldives. Seven flights are expected weekly and will be operational before the month of July this year.

In a statement during the signing ceremony, the Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Xavier-Luc Duval, expressed satisfaction that the signing of the agreement is a historical step between Mauritius and the Maldives as it would further strengthen relations between the two countries especially in the area of tourism. According to VPM Duval, both countries have a strong presence in China and the two islands also have interesting features for the Chinese market.

For his part, the Minister of Defense and National Security of the Maldives, Colonel (RTD) Mr Mohamed Nazim, recalled that every year about 80,000 Chinese tourists visit Maldives and the coming into operation of the agreement, will allow Maldives to share the market with Mauritius. Besides tourism, Minister Mohamed Nazim added that the direct flight between Mauritius and Maldives will also boost trade between the two neighbours.