Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has inaugurated direct flight operations between Velana International Airport and Dhaka, Bangladesh, restoring an important air link between the two countries and expanding travel options for passengers across South Asia. The service is expected to further strengthen connectivity between the Maldives and Bangladesh while supporting tourism, business travel, and the movement of the large Bangladeshi expatriate community living in the Maldives.
The airline has introduced a bi-weekly schedule for the route, with flights operating every Thursday and Sunday. Departures from the Maldives are timed to arrive in Dhaka during the early morning hours, enabling passengers to connect conveniently to onward international flights from the Bangladeshi capital. This scheduling arrangement has been designed to provide smoother transfers and improved travel efficiency for passengers who rely on Dhaka as a connecting hub to other destinations around the world.
The timing of the route’s launch also coincides with the conclusion of Ramadan and the Eid-al-Fitr holidays, a period that typically sees increased travel demand among both Maldivian travellers and the significant Bangladeshi workforce residing in the Maldives. The restoration of this route is expected to facilitate travel for thousands of passengers who regularly commute between the two countries for employment, family visits, and leisure. Airline officials noted that the decision to resume services followed strong demand observed from both communities, reinforcing the importance of maintaining reliable air connectivity between the Maldives and Bangladesh.
Direct flights between the Maldives and Dhaka had been suspended in August 2024 following political instability in Bangladesh at that time. Prior to the suspension, Maldivian had maintained regular weekly operations on the route, which had served as an essential link supporting labour mobility and tourism flows. The reintroduction of scheduled services reflects improving travel conditions and renewed confidence in the route’s commercial viability.
Under the airline’s current fare structure, round-trip tickets for the Dhaka service begin from USD 399. The ticket includes a checked baggage allowance of 30 kilogrammes per passenger, a provision designed to accommodate the travel needs of passengers on the route, particularly migrant workers and travellers carrying personal belongings between the two countries.
The addition of Dhaka further strengthens Maldivian’s international network, which currently includes scheduled services to five destinations across India and China. The airline also operates seasonal charter flights to selected destinations during peak travel periods, supporting the Maldives’ tourism industry and expanding travel opportunities for international visitors.
Maldivian’s operations are supported by a diverse fleet of 26 aircraft that enables the airline to serve both domestic and international routes efficiently. The fleet includes a wide-body Airbus A330 and a narrow-body Airbus A320 used for long-haul and regional services, alongside five ATR aircraft, eight Dash-8 aircraft, and 11 Dash-6 Twin Otters that support domestic connectivity across the Maldives’ dispersed island network.
The restoration of direct flights between Velana International Airport and Dhaka further enhances the Maldives’ role as a regional travel hub while strengthening the longstanding social and economic ties between the Maldives and Bangladesh. The route is also expected to contribute positively to travel convenience, tourism growth, and economic engagement between the two countries in the years ahead.
advertisment
advertisment
