The Maldives and Ethiopia have signed an air services agreement that establishes the regulatory framework for scheduled passenger and cargo services between the two countries, supporting stronger aviation, tourism and economic connectivity between the Indian Ocean destination and one of Africa’s leading air transport hubs.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation by Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen and Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority Yohannes Abera Belete. The signing represents an important step towards introducing scheduled air services between the Maldives and Ethiopia, subject to the necessary commercial and operational arrangements.
Under the agreement, designated airlines from both countries will be permitted to operate services between the two destinations. The framework would enable Ethiopian Airlines to introduce flights to the Maldives, while the national carrier Maldivian would have the opportunity to operate services to Ethiopia.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister Ameen said Ethiopia had become the sixth African country to conclude an air services agreement with the Maldives. The Maldives has previously signed similar agreements with Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles and South Africa as part of its broader efforts to strengthen aviation cooperation and improve access to important regional and international markets.
Ameen said the agreement creates the necessary foundation for launching scheduled flights between the Maldives and Ethiopia. He also noted that Ethiopian Airlines has expressed interest in operating direct services between Addis Ababa and the Maldives, which could provide passengers with convenient access to the airline’s extensive network across Africa and other international destinations.
“Ethiopia is one of the fastest-growing economies on the African continent,” Ameen said. “Ethiopian Airlines is the largest airline in Africa and operates the most extensive air network on the continent.”
Direct or conveniently connected services through Addis Ababa could strengthen the Maldives’ access to a diverse range of African markets, providing additional travel options for tourists, business travellers, government delegations and professionals. Addis Ababa’s position as a major aviation centre could also support smoother connections between the Maldives and cities across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas.
The agreement has the potential to support the continued expansion of the Maldives’ tourism industry by opening new opportunities to attract visitors from Ethiopia and the wider African continent. Improved air connectivity could benefit the country’s internationally recognised resort sector, which offers a broad portfolio of luxury island resorts, private villas, family-oriented properties, wellness retreats and nature-based tourism experiences across the archipelago.
Maldivian resorts are widely recognised for their distinctive one-island-one-resort concept, high-quality hospitality, marine environments, white-sand beaches and personalised guest services. Greater access from African markets could allow resort operators and tourism businesses to broaden their international reach, develop new travel partnerships and introduce tailored holiday packages for travellers connecting through Addis Ababa.
The prospective services could also enhance opportunities for resorts, travel agencies, tour operators and destination management companies to work with Ethiopian and African aviation and tourism partners. Expanded connectivity may support joint marketing activities, holiday packages, group travel arrangements, corporate travel and meetings-related tourism, while offering international visitors additional routes to reach the Maldives.
In addition to passenger travel, regular air services could contribute to trade and cargo connectivity between the two countries. Improved transport links could create opportunities for businesses to explore cooperation in tourism supplies, food products, fisheries, professional services and other commercial sectors, while facilitating faster movement of time-sensitive goods.
Ameen said the agreement forms part of the Maldives’ continuing efforts to expand its international air transport network and strengthen economic connectivity. The government has been working to establish additional aviation partnerships that can diversify tourism markets, increase passenger traffic and reinforce the Maldives’ position as a globally accessible destination.
The establishment of scheduled services between Addis Ababa and the Maldives would further connect two destinations with growing international profiles. It would provide Ethiopian and African travellers with improved access to the Maldives’ resort islands, while giving Maldivian passengers greater connectivity to Ethiopia and Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive international network.
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