A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Chagos region on Wednesday evening, but authorities have confirmed there is no threat to the Maldives. The Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) reported that the earthquake occurred at 18:01 local time on July 8, 2026. The epicenter was located approximately 933 kilometers from Addu City, the southernmost atoll of the Maldives. Following the seismic event, the MET Office issued an official advisory stating that there is no danger

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

The Maldives Meteorological Service has issued a statement urging the public to disregard social media posts and messages that claim to predict upcoming earthquakes, labelling such claims as false and unscientific. The service confirmed that the current claims circulating online are entirely false and that there is no scientific method capable of accurately predicting when or where an earthquake will occur. While seismic monitoring stations continue to track real-time earthqu

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has issued a stern warning that strict action will be taken against employees who misuse airport security passes issued for work at Velana International Airport (VIA). The warning was communicated through a circular sent to all MACL staff and relevant authorities. According to the circular, airport security passes are issued strictly for official duty purposes and for accessing designated restricted or controlled areas at the airpo

Manta Air pilots and engineers have called off the strike scheduled for Saturday, 4th July, following a breakthrough in negotiations with management. Staff representatives confirmed that an agreement has been reached that addresses the core grievances that prompted the industrial action, bringing an end to the dispute just days before the planned walkout was set to disrupt flight operations. Under the terms of the deal, the airline has agreed to revert salaries to pre-reducti

Nearly a year after its arrival in the Maldives, the ICON A5 amphibious aircraft operated by Hawks Pvt Ltd under the trade name Hawks Air has taken to the skies for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the company's aviation ambitions. Photo: Capt.Sim_Jaabir (instagram) The aircraft was first brought to the Maldives by Hawks Pvt Ltd in August 2025. Now, after months of preparation and regulatory compliance work, the state-of-the-art amphibious light sport aircr

Emirates has restarted flights between the Maldives and Colombo, following a four month halt caused by operational disruptions from the Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict. The service re-establishes a vital connection for tourism and trade between the two island nations. The daily service operates as an extension of Emirates' Dubai-Male flight EK652, continuing to Colombo, with the return flight EK653 traveling from Colombo to Dubai via Male. Both flights are operated using a wide-bod

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has formalised partnership agreements with three national agencies to enhance emergency preparedness and response coordination at Velana International Airport. The Memoranda of Understanding were signed with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS), and Maldives Red Crescent (MRC) at a ceremony held at Hulhule Island Hotel. MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed said the agreement

French bee is set to broaden its long‑haul footprint with the introduction of two new Indian Ocean routes, adding nonstop service to Malé in the Maldives and Colombo in Sri Lanka. Both destinations will be served exclusively from Paris‑Orly, with flights beginning 19 December 2026. The airline has opened sales effective today, marking another step in its strategy to diversify its network and strengthen its presence in high‑demand leisure markets. French bee CEO Marc‑Antoine B

Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has restored staff salaries and begun reimbursing earlier deductions, while Manta Air has yet to reverse the temporary pay cuts introduced in May, a contrast that is deepening uncertainty among Manta employees already facing rising living costs, inflation, and the lingering financial strain left by the COVID‑19 years. The differing approaches come at a time when domestic aviation operators continue to navigate an unpredictable market shaped by fl

The Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) has officially commenced aviation meteorological operations at the Maafaru Meteorological Office, marking a significant enhancement to weather support services for one of the country’s key northern airports. According to MMS, the establishment of the Maafaru office strengthens the delivery of accurate, timely, and reliable meteorological information for both domestic and international flight operations. The new facility will support p

Global Airlines has outlined an ambitious vision for its future A380 operations, placing long‑haul leisure markets at the centre of its strategy including the possibility of launching direct flights from the United Kingdom to the Maldives. Global Airlines has outlined ambitions to launch long‑haul services with its Airbus A380 fleet, and recent reports have highlighted the Maldives as one of the potential early routes. The airline has spoken about operating nonstop UK–Maldive

Air India has temporarily scaled back its services to Malé, with the airline citing operational constraints and elevated fuel prices as the primary reasons behind the adjustment. The reduction forms part of a broader network recalibration affecting several international routes during the June–August 2026 period. The carrier said the decision was driven by a combination of airspace restrictions, which have increased block times on multiple long‑haul sectors, and record‑high je

Manta Air has positioned its ATR 72‑600, registered 8Q‑RAY, in Pakistan as preparations advance for the start of a planned wet‑lease operation in the country. The aircraft has been observed operating a local flight since its arrival, a movement understood to be part of regulatory checks and operational validation ahead of commercial deployment. Photo: Respective Owner The upcoming operation is believed to be linked to South Air, a developing Pakistani carrier that is current

Thailand’s overhaul of its visa‑exemption system is reshaping regional travel, and the Maldives is among the countries most affected. Under the new “one country, one privilege” model, most nationalities will now receive 30 days of visa‑free entry but the Maldives has been placed in a 15 day exemption category, the shortest available. The change follows the cancellation of Thailand’s previous 60‑day visa‑free scheme, which had boosted long stay tourism and attracted traveller

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’s Airbus A330 has landed in Melbourne today, marking a major milestone as the airline prepares to launch the first direct commercial flights between Australia and the Maldives. The wide‑body aircraft arrived at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport on a special positioning flight, ahead of the inaugural service that will formally open nonstop connectivity between the two countries for the first time in aviation history. The new route is being introduced in partnership with

Gan International Airport has announced that, as part of the ongoing Gan Airport Development Project, the existing sections of the passenger terminal will be handed over to the contractor at 23:59 on 15th May 2026 to begin major redevelopment works. To ensure construction can proceed while airport operations continue, temporary adjustments will be made to how the terminal is used. During this period, passenger processing will be shifted to the terminal’s side wings. The East

Bahrain has taken a decisive step toward strengthening its position as a global aviation hub with the announcement of a strategic partnership between Gulf Air and Beond, the world’s first all‑premium leisure airline. The agreement brings together Gulf Air’s extensive international network and decades‑long reputation with Beond’s boutique, all‑flatbed, private‑jet‑style experience, creating a combined offering aimed at the world’s most discerning travellers. The partnership wa

The reclamation phase of the Sh. Milandhoo Airport project has been completed. According to project data, land reclamation began on 3 April 2026 and concluded on 4 May 2026, achieving full completion within a 31‑day operational window. A total of 21 hectares of new land was reclaimed for the airport platform, matching the planned scope and bringing the overall project footprint including the 4.9‑hectare tree‑clearing zone on the existing island to 25.90 hectares. The works re