China's Chongqing Airlines commenced flights to Maldives on Monday.

The first flight of Chongqing Airlines was welcomed at the Velana International Airport by Tourism Minister Ibrahim Faisal, Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef and Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury.

The airline has scheduled thrice weekly flights to the Maldives on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Chongqing Airlines travels between VIA and China's Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.

China is the top market for tourists visiting the Maldives this year. Some 114,339 tourists from China have visited the Maldives so far this year, representing an 11.6 percent increase compared to last year.

Chongqing Airlines also commenced flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka yesterday.