De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited announced today at the Farnborough Airshow that it has signed a letter of intent with Island Aviation Services Limited, operating as Maldivian, for the purchase of two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft. The agreement marks the first delivery of the Classic 300-G variant to the Maldives, which currently operates the world's largest fleet of Twin Otter aircraft. According to De Havilland Canada, the Classic 300-G retains the short t

Maldivian has launched its first-ever direct Addu–Jeddah service, a historic operation that positions Gan International Airport as a new southern gateway for Umrah travel. The widebody Airbus A330 departed Gan at 04:24 am, carrying 259 pilgrims, including 110 travellers from Addu City who were able to begin their pilgrimage without transiting through Malé. The charter was organised in partnership with The Traveler and Addu-based group Dhathuruveriya, forming part of the newly

Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL), operator of the national airline Maldivian, has signed an agreement with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for the development and sale of staff housing units in Hulhumalé. The agreement follows a land purchase transaction finalised in October 2025, in which IASL acquired a 12,481 square foot plot in Hulhumalé Phase I from HDC for MVR 49.4 million. The Civil Court validated the transaction on 29 October 2025, registering IASL a

History is made today as Maldivian operates the first direct commercial flight between Australia and the Maldives, establishing a new long‑haul connection between the two countries and marking a significant milestone for the national carrier. The inaugural service departed Melbourne Tullamarine early this morning aboard Maldivian’s Airbus A330, following the aircraft’s arrival the previous day on a special positioning flight. The operation introduces the first nonstop link be

Maldivian has issued a statement denying widespread social media rumours claiming the national carrier is preparing to introduce alcohol sales on board its flights. The airline described the posts as “entirely false” and urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information that could mislead passengers and damage the reputation of the national airline. Alcohol service on board is common across most international airlines, particularly full‑service carriers. Many airlines

A first-ever direct long-haul flight from Addu City (GAN) to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is set to operate, following a request from travel agency The Traveller. The service has been confirmed by Maldivian, the national airline, with bookings expected to open soon. The flight will be operating on Maldivian's Airbus A330 widebody aircraft, capable of carrying 264 passengers. This marks the first time a non-stop connection has been established between Addu City and Jeddah, allowing tr

Maldivian has increased ticket prices for foreign passengers as the national airline adjusts to a sharp rise in jet fuel costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The price hike follows a 42% increase in the cost of jet fuel sold at Velana International Airport, after Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) raised rates from USD 1.19 to USD 1.69 per litre, marking one of the steepest jumps in recent years. Maldivian has increased fares across multiple domes

Maldivian has hosted a special evening to celebrate 18 years of operations in India, recognising the staff, partners, and long‑standing collaborators who have supported the airline’s growth in one of its most important international markets. The event brought together team members, industry partners, and invited guests to acknowledge the airline’s journey and the strong connections built over nearly two decades of continuous operations. The airline also acknowledged the suppo

Island Aviation Services Ltd (IASL), the operator of the national carrier Maldivian, has issued a new call for proposals to finance‑lease two new ATR 42‑600 aircraft. The announcement marks a renewed effort to secure long‑term financing after an earlier tender for the same aircraft was released in late 2025. According to the new Request for Proposal (RFP) published on 2 February 2026, IASL is seeking a finance lease arrangement with a minimum term of fifteen years. The re‑ten

Maldivian has launched a new wheel‑based Twin Otter operation in the southern atolls, connecting Gan with Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhdhoo, and Kooddoo. The airline is positioning the service as a major step toward strengthening regional mobility a long‑standing ambition for the south. The move marks the first time Maldivian has deployed wheel-based Twin Otters for scheduled domestic airport‑to‑airport flights. While the new operation brings renewed optimism, it enters a region where

Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, marks an important milestone as it celebrates 18 years since launching flights to Trivandrum, India. The airline first commenced operations to the South Indian city on 25 January 2008, establishing one of its earliest and most enduring international routes. Over nearly two decades, the Trivandrum sector has played a key role in connecting Maldivian travelers with Kerala’s capital, an important hub for medical travel, education,

A newly converted De Havilland Canada DHC‑6‑300 Twin Otter has arrived in Addu City, marking the official start of Maldivian’s wheel‑based operations across the southern atolls. The aircraft, previously configured as a floatplane for seaplane transfers, has been refitted with landing gear to operate scheduled domestic flights linking Gan, Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhdhoo, and Kooddoo. The enhanced connectivity anticipated to support regional tourism, giving travellers easier access to

Maldivian operated the first seaplane flight from Male’ to Noonu Velidhoo today, marking the island's first direct air link to the capital and a significant step in improving regional connectivity. The inaugural flight departed Velidhoo this afternoon with 15 passengers on board with the flight departing at 2:40PM, formally opening the new route. A brief ceremony was held in Velidhoo to mark the occasion, attended by Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, M

Maldivian will introduce new DHC‑6 Twin Otter wheel‑based flights in the southern region this February, expanding short‑sector connectivity between Gan, Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhdhoo, and Kooddoo. The new operation is expected to enhance connectivity across the southern atolls by offering faster, more direct links between Gan, Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhdhoo, and Kooddoo. The service is anticipated to ease travel for local communities while also supporting regional tourism by providing a q

Maldivian will host a public music carnival in Hulhumale’ on 6th February as part of its lead‑up to the airline’s resumption of flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh. The “Dhaka, We Heard You” Music Carnival will be held at the Hulhumale’ Synthetic Track from 20:00 to 23:00, featuring live performances, music, and entertainment. The carnival comes as Maldivian prepares to restart its Dhaka service on 12 March, restoring an important route for travellers and for the large Bangladeshi p

Maldivian will restart flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh on March 12, restoring an important route for both Maldivian travellers and the large Bangladeshi community living and working in the Maldives. The airline has already opened ticket sales, with return fares starting at USD 399, including a 30kg baggage allowance. Passengers can now book seats through Maldivian’s website, mobile app, ticketing offices, and authorised agents.

Maldivian has issued an update after Flight Q22342, operating from Male’ to Bangkok, diverted to Colombo earlier today along its planned route. According to the airline, the diversion was made to due to airspace limitations that temporarily affected the original route. The stop in Colombo was brief, and once clearance was obtained, the aircraft resumed its journey to Bangkok without further disruption. Maldivian confirmed that the flight arrived safely in Bangkok, and passeng

Maldivian is preparing to resume scheduled services to Dhaka, restoring a key South Asian connection that has faced intermittent operations and prolonged suspensions in recent years. The national carrier first launched flights to the Bangladeshi capital on 15 November 2012, but the route has repeatedly been halted due to operational and commercial constraints. During the latest suspension, the Maldives–Bangladesh market continued to be served by US‑Bangla Airlines, which has

Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL) has inaugurated the apron extension at Maafaru International Airport and commenced construction of the airport’s terminal building expansion, marking the latest phase of development at the Noonu Atoll facility. Maafaru International Airport, opened in 2018, was built to support the growing number of high‑end resorts in the region and to accommodate private jets and narrow‑body aircraft. Since its opening, the airport has undergone sever

Island Aviation Services Limited, the state-owned operator of the national airline Maldivian, has reported a net loss of MVR 46.36 million for the first quarter of 2025, according to figures released by the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB). The airline generated MVR 672.52 million in revenue during the quarter, with domestic passenger services accounting for more than half (MVR 345.26 million). Regional flights contributed MVR 110.72 million, while seaplane opera