A steady uptick in international flight operations is reinforcing the Maldives’ position as one of the world’s most sought-after travel destinations, with the country welcoming over 866,000 tourists by early May 2025. New data from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) and the Ministry of Tourism shows that this surge in travel demand has translated into an increase in scheduled international flights to the island nation in the first quarter of the year.
Between January and March, a total of 4,880 international flights landed in the Maldives, up from 4,628 during the same period last year. This reflects a 5.4% year-on-year increase in total international flight operations. Scheduled services accounted for 4,444 of these flights, marking a 7.3% rise compared to the 4,141 recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
While overall general aviation movements, including private charters and non-commercial flights, experienced a modest decline from 487 to 436, the steady increase in scheduled international traffic highlights sustained interest from both commercial airlines and global travellers.
The Maldives attracted 632,422 visitors in the first three months alone, contributing significantly to the total 866,462 arrivals recorded by early May. On average, 6,877 tourists arrive in the Maldives each day, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
European markets continue to dominate, with over 65% of visitors hailing from the continent. Notably, Italy and the United Kingdom reported growth in arrival numbers, while the Chinese and Russian markets also demonstrated strong performance. However, arrivals from India saw a slight downturn during this period.
The increase in visitor numbers has been supported by an expanding tourism infrastructure. Operational bed capacity reached 62,550 by the end of March, thanks to new resort openings and guesthouse developments across various islands. Despite the expansion, the national occupancy rate held steady at 71.7%, only marginally below the 73.4% posted during the same period last year.
However, the average stay duration saw a slight drop from 7.9 days to 6.8 days, contributing to a 2.4% reduction in total bednights, which stood at 3.99 million.
As Velana International Airport prepares to open its new passenger terminal and more international routes are expected to be introduced, travel industry analysts anticipate continued growth in flight arrivals and tourism throughout the year. The expanded connectivity and infrastructure improvements are set to further enhance the Maldives’ appeal as a world-class destination for leisure, luxury, and island experiences.
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