The Maldives has continued to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading premium travel destinations, with a total of 41 international airlines now operating flights to Velana International Airport, according to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). The increase reflects growing confidence among global carriers in the Maldives market and highlights the country’s continued appeal to leisure travellers, premium holidaymakers and private aviation operators. The latest figure represents a notable rise from the 35 airlines recorded at the end of December last year, as confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
The expansion comes at a time when the global aviation sector has been navigating operational challenges linked to unrest in parts of the Middle East. Despite those disruptions, the Maldives has maintained strong air access and continued to attract international airlines, demonstrating the resilience of its tourism industry and the sustained demand for the destination. In several cases, airlines that had temporarily suspended services to neighbouring destinations have resumed flights to the Maldives, further reinforcing the country’s standing as a preferred Indian Ocean destination.
Government efforts to strengthen connectivity have also played an important role in supporting this growth. Authorities have been working to expand non-transit routes and attract carriers from markets beyond the Middle East, with the aim of reducing dependence on traditional transit hubs and creating broader access from multiple regions. This strategy is expected to enhance convenience for travellers, improve route diversity and support the long-term competitiveness of the Maldives tourism industry in an evolving global travel environment.
Speaking at a press conference held by a ministerial committee at the President’s Office, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen said the country is also seeing strong growth in private jet movements. He noted that efforts are ongoing to diversify route networks further, with more airlines from different regions either launching services or preparing to enter the Maldivian market. The rise in private aviation is seen as an encouraging indicator of the Maldives’ continued attractiveness among high-end travellers, luxury holidaymakers and premium resort clientele.
According to the minister, jet handling activity rose sharply when compared to previous levels. He said that while around 80 private jets had been recorded in March in the past, the number increased to about 190, representing growth of approximately 125 to 130 per cent. This sharp increase reflects the strong appeal of the Maldives among discerning travellers seeking privacy, exclusivity and premium hospitality experiences, particularly in the country’s world-renowned resort segment.
The Maldives’ resort industry remains one of the key drivers behind the growth in aviation demand. With its collection of luxury private island resorts, internationally recognised hospitality brands and high standards of service, the country continues to appeal to travellers from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and other major markets. Improved airline access is expected to further strengthen occupancy prospects across resorts, support seamless travel planning for guests and contribute positively to visitor arrivals, tourism spending and related economic activity.
The increase in airline services is also being supported by stronger flight frequencies from established carriers. Minister Ameen noted that airlines such as Edelweiss Air, AirAsia, Air India and Turkish Airlines have increased their frequencies to the Maldives. Higher seat capacity from these airlines is expected to improve accessibility from important source markets, while also providing greater flexibility for visitors planning holidays at Maldivian resorts, guesthouses and liveaboard experiences.
Available data further shows that the majority of airlines currently serving the Maldives are based in Asia, with 16 carriers in operation, followed by 13 from Europe and six from the Middle East. This broad geographical spread reflects the Maldives’ diversified tourism reach and underlines the country’s success in maintaining relevance across multiple international markets. It also supports the government’s wider objective of building a more balanced and resilient air connectivity network for the destination.
As global travel continues to recover and evolve, the growing number of airlines operating to Velana International Airport signals strong international confidence in the Maldives. For the country’s tourism sector, particularly its globally admired resort industry, the expansion in connectivity offers renewed momentum and creates favourable conditions for sustained growth in arrivals, visitor experience and high-value tourism.
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