The Maldives has reaffirmed its reputation as a world-class travel destination with new data revealing an impressive surge in international airline connectivity, a key factor driving tourism growth in 2025. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment’s latest Maldives Tourism Update released on April 3rd, 2025, more than 45 international airlines now operate flights to the Maldives, highlighting the nation’s successful partnerships with global carriers in enhancing access for travelers across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Among the international airlines contributing to this momentum are Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, and Virgin Atlantic, which continue to maintain consistent connectivity between their hub cities and Velana International Airport. Notably, the presence of airlines from over 25 different countries reflects the Ministry’s strategic approach in diversifying source markets while maintaining stability in core markets.
This collaborative effort between Maldives and international carriers plays a pivotal role in strengthening the country’s tourism infrastructure. Carriers such as Air India, Sri Lankan Airlines, China Eastern, Beijing Capital Airlines, and Air Asia Thailand have been instrumental in linking the Maldives with South Asia and East Asia, regions that remain among the strongest contributors to inbound tourism.
Increased flight frequency and the introduction of new routes have directly supported the rising number of arrivals. As of March 31st, 2025, the Maldives recorded 617,949 tourist arrivals, marking a 9.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, which saw 564,606 visitors. The continued rebound of Chinese tourists following relaxed travel restrictions and growing interest from Central Asian markets, served by airlines like Uzbekistan Airways, Air Astana, and Azur Air Russia, have also contributed to this growth.
Additionally, newer luxury-focused airlines like Beond are offering tailored experiences for high-end travelers, aligning with the Maldives’ brand as an exclusive, premium getaway. Meanwhile, regional carriers such as Maldivian, Fits Aviation, and budget-friendly operators including Wizz Air and US-Bangla Airlines are helping to boost connectivity within South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, facilitating both short-stay and long-haul travel.
This broad network of air connectivity is vital to achieving the national tourism strategy of welcoming 2 million tourists in 2025, with the current trajectory suggesting the country is on course to meet or exceed this ambitious target. The Maldives’ capacity to accommodate this influx is also expanding, with over 62,000 tourist beds now in operation across resorts, guesthouses, liveaboards, and hotels.
The Ministry of Tourism and Environment continues to prioritize air transport cooperation as a pillar of its tourism development model, emphasizing bilateral and multilateral engagements with aviation stakeholders. As the Maldives enhances its visibility through joint promotions with airlines and participation in global tourism fairs, the island nation stands as a shining example of how destination marketing, infrastructure, and aviation synergy can transform a small island state into a global tourism powerhouse.
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