Russian National Carrier Aeroflot has decided to resume direct flights to the Maldives after reassurances from the Maldivian government.

The carrier stopped flights to the Maldives after Russia faced sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine earlier.

In a letter to the Maldivian Civil Aviation Authority, its Russian counterpart informed that Aeroflot would begin direct flights from Male' to Moscow on the 13th of May.

According to Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, the air service agreement between Russia and Maldives remains unchanged and airport authorities in the Maldives will provide aircraft services including ground handling and fueling services as necessary for the flights.

The resumption of direct flights between the two destinations would bolster the Maldives' biggest tourism market.

Tourism Ministry statistics show that until the 20th of this month, 531,109 tourists have arrived in the Maldives and that these include 54,624 Russians.