Malé, Maldives – Israel’s national airline El Al Israel Airlines will not be allowed to operate flights to Maldives, the government has said.
Governments remarks on the matter come following an interview with Reuters news by the Chief Executive of El Al, Dina Ben-Tal Ganancia said the airline was looking to resume flights to India and add flights to Australia, and possibly the Philippines, Singapore and Maldives at some point.
Maldives and Israel have no foreign or trade relations. Imports of Israeli products are also banned in the island nation.
Presidential Spokesperson Miuvan Mohammed told a news conference yesterday that there would be no such agreement between Israel and Maldives. Maldives will not grant such a permission, he said.
“The airline has not requested it either. You know there is no business relationship between Maldives and Israel now. So no such agreement or travel arrangements will be made,” Miuvan said.
Sri Lanka has cut off all foreign relations with Israel since the beginning of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s rule due to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories.
El Al’s attempt to launch flights to Maldives in 2011 was met with protests from the then opposition.
