Lufthansa, the largest German air carrier,  has started direct flight operations between Germany and Maldives. The move is expected to boost the tourist footfall in the archipelago which largely depends on tourism for state revenues. 

The airline will operate two flights every Wednesday and Sunday in a week connecting the two nations. Travelers are required to carry a 96-hour negative test report of the RT-PCR test. 

Maldives had opened its borders on July 15 this year. The country’s economy came to a halt when the lockdown was announced in March this year in the wake of the pandemic. Maldives’ economy is expected to shrink by 50% this year as the tourism industry forms the backbone of its economy. 

With relaxation in restrictions, and more and more carriers announcing its operations to Maldives, the country is looking for a much-needed recovery in its tourism sector.