Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced revised working hour arrangements for Velana International Airport (VIA) during Ramadan 1447 and the first seven days of Shawwal, introducing a shorter daily schedule for administrative staff while significantly changing how overtime pay will be calculated for the wider workforce. Under the new directive, administrative employees will work 4 hours and 30 minutes per day, with official hours set from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. A

Airlines operating at Velana International Airport (VIA) say they were not given the advance notice required to prepare for the planned relocation of domestic operations to Terminal 2 today. Sources told Aviators Maldives that airlines did not receive clear timelines, operational details, or the standard preparation period normally provided for a terminal change. The information shared before the move was described as minimal, leaving teams with almost no time to organise sta

Velana International Airport (VIA) is preparing to relocate all domestic flight operations to the refurbished Terminal 2, marking a major operational shift under Maldives Airports Company Limited’s (MACL) ongoing airport development program. The move follows structural upgrades and systems integration work to repurpose the former international terminal for domestic passenger handling. Once the transition is activated, all domestic departures and arrivals will move from the ex

Premium leisure airline beOnd has taken a significant step in its Gulf expansion strategy, signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs to explore establishing a Bahrain‑based Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The proposed operation would see up to 10 aircraft based in the Kingdom by 2030, targeting high‑yield leisure and business traffic and positioning Bahrain as a key node between Europe, the Middle East, Asia and, in the longer term, North America.

Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has achieved a landmark operational milestone, completing the highest single‑day volume of flights and passenger movements in its history. Across the day, TMA successfully served more than 7,000 passengers and executed over 800 take offs and landings, underscoring the airline’s unmatched capacity to deliver seamless connectivity across the Maldives’ dispersed island network. This achievement reflects the strength of TMA’s operational readiness an

The Government of Maldives has formally withdrawn a 2022 letter issued by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih that altered the country’s position on the United Nations General Assembly Resolution concerning the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the separation of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu communicated the decision to the Prime Minister of Mauritius, marking a significant shift back to the Maldives’ earlier stance.

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

The Maldives National Air Traffic Services (MNATS) has opened applications for Air Traffic Control Officer (Trainee) positions, creating a new pathway for young Maldivians to enter one of the nation’s most vital aviation professions. The intake includes roles in both Enroute & Terminal Control Services and Malé Tower, reflecting MNATS’ continued efforts to strengthen national airspace management. Available Positions Enroute & Terminal Control Services: 03 Male’ Tower: 02 Appl

The Maldives recorded 10,253 tourist arrivals on 1 February 2026, setting a new single‑day record for the country’s tourism sector. The figure surpasses the previous high of 10,213 arrivals registered on 10 February 2024, according to official data. The new record follows a strong start to the year, coming just days after the Maldives posted its highest‑ever January arrival total. Tourism authorities say the latest numbers indicate that demand has remained consistently high i

The Maldives has started 2026 with a new monthly tourism record, registering 224,788 arrivals in January and surpassing the previous high of 224,455 recorded in December 2025. The updated figure continues the strong performance seen at the end of last year and gives the industry a steady start to the new season. According to official data, the January total reflects continued momentum from the final quarter of 2025, when visitor numbers consistently trended upward across key

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,

Ali Shareef, the Maldives’ first locally trained weather forecaster and the Deputy Director General of the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS), has retired after an extraordinary 47‑year career. Ali began his career in 1978 as a meteorological observer, later becoming the first Maldivian to receive formal training as a weather forecaster. Over the decades, he played a central role in issuing aviation and sea‑area forecasts, critical services for a country heavily dependent

Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has received its 66th De Havilland Canada DHC‑6 Twin Otter, further cementing its position as the world’s largest seaplane operator. The latest addition marks another milestone in the airline’s three decade journey as the backbone of Maldivian tourism and the undisputed leader in global seaplane operations. The arrival of the 66th Twin Otter reinforces TMA’s unmatched operational scale. The new aircraft will enter service after standard float‑equ

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

Velana International Airport (VIA) recorded a strong year in 2025, handling 8.28 million passengers, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. The growth reflects continued demand across international, domestic, and seaplane operations, supported by rising tourist arrivals and improved inter‑island connectivity. Of the total passenger volume, 5.38 million were international travellers, underscoring VIA’s role as the Maldives’ primary gateway. Domestic traffic reached 1.17

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

The national accident‑investigation function has been formally transitioned from the Accident Investigation Coordination Committee (AICC) to the newly established Maldives Transportation Safety Board (MTSB), marking a major step toward strengthening aviation and transport safety oversight in line with international standards. According to an official notice issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, all responsibilities previously held by the AICC have now been transferred to th

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has introduced its refreshed brand identity, marking an important institutional milestone as the agency strengthens its role as the national provider of weather, climate, and early warning services. The updated branding is designed to improve how MMS communicates critical information to the public, supporting national efforts to safeguard lives, livelihoods, and long‑term resilience in the face of increasing climate risks. According t

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