S7 Airlines Launches Direct Flights from Novosibirsk to the Maldives

Russia’s largest private carrier, S7 Airlines, is set to expand its reach in the Indian Ocean with the launch of a new direct service to the Maldives. Starting October 30, the airline will operate twice-weekly flights connecting Novosibirsk to Velana International Airport, marking the first time a Russian carrier will provide regular flights from a city other than Moscow. Scheduled for departures every Monday and Friday, the route will be serviced by Airbus A320 aircraft. The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has confirmed the timetable, stating that the introduction of the Novosibirsk route is a strategic move to diversify the country's tourist feeder connections and reduce reliance on single-city hubs. To support the new connection, Russian travel operator TEZ TOUR has introduced specialized vacation packages. These offerings include significant incentives for early bookings, with accommodation discounts reaching up to 50 percent to attract travelers from the Siberian region. This development follows a diplomatic mission to Russia by the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen. During the visit, the Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to expanding aviation links, pledging that seven additional airlines are expected to begin operations to the Maldives by the fourth quarter of 2026. Russia continues to be a critical pillar of the Maldivian tourism economy. As the second-largest source market, Russia has contributed 222,796 visitors this year, accounting for 14.7 percent of total arrivals. The addition of the Novosibirsk link is expected to further strengthen this commercial tie by making the archipelago more accessible to a broader segment of the Russian population.