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British Airways Resumes Operations to the Maldives

British airways flight to maldives
British Airways has resumed its operations to the Maldives, beginning flights from London Heathrow to the Maldives.

British Airways has resumed its operations to the Maldives yesterday, 17th October 2020. The airline will operate 3 weekly flights to the Maldives from London Heathrow. The seasonal flights depart three times a week on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Flights land the following day at Velana International Airport. Direct flights from the Maldives to London will also depart on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. To provide a safer experience for travelers, British Airways has introduced various safety measures. This includes, air on all British Airways flights being fully recycled once every two to three minutes through HEPA filters.

Great to have British Airways flights linking Britain and Maldives again! We continually review out travel advice with a view to relaxing it as things improve. Those returning to UK from Maldives must still self-isolate for now.

British High Commissioner to Maldives, Caron Rohsler said.

British High Commissioner also tweeted a photo with the captain and cabin crew of the airline, thanking them. Furthermore, the commissioner thanked the ground staff of all the airport authorities. She highlighted the efforts taken to make Velana International Airport safe & welcoming for everyone.

In an earlier statement, Neil Chernoff, Director of Network and Alliances at British Airways said that the airline is glad to be returning to more destinations this month, connecting the UK with more and more countries around the world. He said with British Airways’ enhanced safety measures, the airline hopes to encourage people to start planning their next getaway.

Also read: Top 10 Tourist Markets Since Border Reopening—As of 14th October 2020

The United Kingdom is among the top 10 tourist source markets to the Maldives. Before the lockdown in March, a total of 7,288 visitors from the UK arrived in the Maldives this year. And 625 tourists also arrived from the UK in September 2020. Thus, making it the 4th highest performing market in terms of tourist arrivals.

Feature image by British Airways
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World’s Busiest Airport to Close: Dubai Plans Massive Shift to Al Maktoum International

World’s Busiest Airport - Dubai International Airport

Dubai plans to redefine the travel experience for millions and reshape its geography by retiring one of its most iconic institutions: Dubai International Airport (DXB). Once a symbol of the city’s meteoric rise, DXB now nears closure as Dubai shifts its aviation ambitions to a colossal new home, Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

For decades, DXB has played a central role in global air travel, processing over 90 million passengers annually and serving as the beating heart of international connections between East and West. However, the airport’s legacy as the world’s busiest international hub approaches its final chapter. Why? Because Dubai envisions a future defined by space, scale, and a bold new concept of travel and urban life.

Why Close the World’s Busiest International Airport?

The answer lies 45 kilometers south in the desert sands of Dubai South, where Dubai is building a new mega-airport. Al Maktoum International, already partially operational, will become the world’s largest airport. When completed, it will feature five runways, 400 aircraft gates, and the capacity to handle 260 million passengers each year.

Unlike DXB, which dense neighborhoods in Garhoud and Al Qusais confine, DWC gives Dubai room to grow. In contrast, the new site offers scalability and flexibility. The project doesn’t just expand the city’s capacity—it reimagines it. Sleek architecture, cutting-edge technology, and integrated logistics with nearby Jebel Ali Port will ultimately deliver a smoother, more efficient experience for travelers and cargo alike.

Dubai isn’t just chasing numbers; rather, it’s planning for longevity. DXB, built in 1960, continues to age. Its infrastructure nears the end of its useful life. Keeping it operational would force the city to invest billions just to preserve the status quo. Dubai chooses a clean slate.

What Will Happen to the Land?

By closing DXB, Dubai unlocks a massive piece of prime real estate in its urban core. While officials haven’t announced exact redevelopment plans, they’ve opened the door to limitless possibilities. Think residential neighborhoods, parks, commercial centers—a brand-new district rising where runways once lay.

In fact, this transformation reflects the evolution seen in other global cities. Hong Kong, for instance, turned its former Kai Tak Airport into a thriving urban hub. Dubai plans to do the same—only on a larger scale.

When Is This Happening?

The shift won’t happen overnight. Dubai expects the transition to unfold over multiple decades. The first new terminal at Al Maktoum will open in 2032, and officials aim for full capacity between the late 2030s and the 2050s. Until then, DXB will keep serving passengers as Dubai phases in the move to DWC—starting with cargo and low-cost carriers, followed by flagship airlines like Emirates.

Travelers flying to and from Dubai will experience business as usual, for now. But the city has already set the change in motion, and soon, its skyline and story will look very different.

The Bigger Picture

Dubai has never hesitated to reinvent itself. It has transformed from sand dunes to skyscrapers, from a sleepy fishing village into a global metropolis. The closure of DXB doesn’t mark a loss; it signals a pivot. This moment reflects Dubai’s faith in the future, its bold planning, and its relentless drive to build bigger and better.

Unlike most cities, which adapt to their airports, Dubai is flipping the script. The city isn’t just designing an airport for tomorrow; it’s designing an entire city around it.

Feature Image via Arabian Business

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