The national airline, Maldivian, has announced the launch of new air connectivity linking four southern atolls of the Maldives, with scheduled services set to commence on 1 February, marking a significant expansion of domestic aviation services in the southern region. The new network will connect Addu City, Fuvahmulah, Gaafu Alifu Atoll and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, strengthening inter-island accessibility and creating new opportunities for economic and social development.
The launch was formally announced during a ceremony held at Gan International Airport, attended by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, alongside Cabinet ministers and senior officials from Maldivian. Addressing the gathering, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services, Ibrahim Iyas, stated that Gan International Airport will become the first airport in the history of Island Aviation to be designated as an additional operational base alongside Velana International Airport. He also noted that Maldivian is the first airline in the country to introduce scheduled commercial flights using wheeled Twin Otter aircraft, reflecting the airline’s continued efforts to diversify and strengthen its domestic operations.
Iyas highlighted that Addu is already an established tourism destination and emphasized that improved air connectivity between the four southern atolls is expected to further stimulate tourism growth in the region. He added that the new services are designed to address long-standing travel challenges faced by residents, offering more convenient, reliable, and faster travel options between islands.
Maldivian currently operates flights to Gan twice a week, and with the introduction of these new routes, all southern atolls will now be connected by air. This expanded network is expected to significantly enhance regional integration while contributing to broader social and economic development objectives. Under the new operation, four airports across the four atolls have been linked, and bookings for the flights are already open, with applicable fares announced by the airline.
The airline will operate services across five sectors, including flights from Addu City to Kaadedhdhoo and Kooddoo airports, as well as routes connecting Fuvahmulah to Kaadedhdhoo and Kooddoo. The flights will be operated using Twin Otter aircraft, the smallest aircraft type in Maldivian’s fleet, with a seating capacity of 15 passengers, well-suited for short-haul regional operations.
The initiative aligns closely with the policy direction of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to strengthen regional transport links, particularly in the southern atolls. With the new services in place, Addu is expected to develop further as the main air travel hub for the southern region, facilitating smoother movement of passengers across multiple atolls.
Authorities have indicated that the flights will improve access for island residents, supporting travel for education, private purposes, and other essential needs. The services will also enable passengers to transit through Addu for medical treatment, improving access to healthcare services within and beyond the region.
From a tourism perspective, the new air network is expected to deliver strong benefits for resorts, guesthouses, and tourism-related service providers by enabling visitors to travel conveniently between multiple islands in the southern region through a single hub. This improved accessibility is anticipated to encourage longer stays, multi-island itineraries, and increased visitor spending, further strengthening the southern Maldives as a distinctive and attractive tourism destination.
Maldivian has already begun operating small aircraft in the southern region, and the President has previously stated that these aircraft are capable of operating safely at night using short airstrips. This capability enables air travel to islands where seaplane services are unavailable after dark, further enhancing connectivity and resilience within the domestic transport network.
Overall, the expansion of Maldivian’s southern air services represents a positive step toward balanced national development, improved quality of life for residents, and sustained growth of the tourism industry, reinforcing the Maldives’ reputation as a well-connected island nation offering seamless travel experiences for both domestic and international passengers.
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