The Maldives is set to welcome a new direct air connection from France later this year, as French low-cost long-haul carrier French Bee has announced the launch of twice-weekly services between Paris Orly and Velana International Airport in Malé. The new operation is scheduled to begin on 19 December 2026 and will continue through the winter flight season until May 2027, bringing additional long-haul capacity to the Maldives during one of its busiest travel periods.
The route will be operated with Airbus A350-900 aircraft, strengthening air access from Europe at a time when demand for premium leisure travel to the Indian Ocean continues to remain strong. The introduction of the Paris–Malé service is expected to support the Maldives’ tourism sector by making the destination more accessible to French travellers, while also enhancing visibility in a market that has long shown strong interest in high-end island holidays.
French Bee’s Maldives service forms part of the airline’s broader South Asia expansion, which also includes Colombo, Sri Lanka. The airline plans to operate the route in a triangular pattern, with flights departing Paris Orly for Malé before continuing onward to Colombo and then returning to Paris. Passengers will be able to board and disembark at each stop. However, tickets will not be sold solely for travel between Malé and Colombo, as the carrier does not hold fifth freedom traffic rights for that sector. Travel on that segment must therefore remain linked to Paris on at least one end of the journey.
The airline is expected to operate the Paris–Malé–Colombo route twice each week. In addition, Colombo is set to receive a separate weekly nonstop service from Paris Orly between January and March 2027, further reflecting French Bee’s growing focus on South Asian and Indian Ocean destinations.
For the Maldives, the launch of this new route represents an encouraging addition to its European air network. France remains an important source market for Maldivian tourism, and greater connectivity is likely to support continued arrivals from French holidaymakers seeking the country’s internationally renowned resort experience. The Maldives continues to appeal to global visitors through its collection of world-class island resorts, private villas, pristine lagoons, white sandy beaches, and exceptional marine environment. The destination’s reputation for refined hospitality, privacy, and scenic natural beauty has made it one of the most sought-after beach holiday locations in the world, particularly among travellers looking for premium long-haul escapes.
The new air service may also enhance wider international access to the Maldives through French Bee’s existing network. The airline currently operates services linking Paris with destinations in the United States and French Polynesia, creating added possibilities for travellers from North America and Tahiti to connect through Paris and continue onward to the Maldives. This broader feeder potential could further strengthen the Maldives’ appeal among long-haul travellers and support tourism growth from markets beyond continental Europe.
French Bee has positioned the new operation around sustained demand for Indian Ocean leisure travel. Within this market, the Maldives is expected to remain especially attractive to international visitors seeking luxury resort stays, ocean-based experiences, honeymoon travel, and high-quality tropical getaways. The addition of a direct Paris–Malé connection is therefore likely to be welcomed by tourism stakeholders as a positive development that supports market diversification, improves accessibility, and reinforces the Maldives’ standing as one of the world’s leading resort destinations.
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