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.

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has reaffirmed the Government of Maldives’ unwavering policy that all airports in the country will continue to be operated solely by Maldivian entities approved by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA). His statement comes amid heightened public debate following Indian media reports suggesting that the Maldives had sought operational assistance from Indian companies for the newly upgraded Hanimaadhoo International Airport. In a clear an

Turkish Airlines has commenced operations at Velana International Airport (VIA) Terminal 1, becoming the 41st airline to shift its services to the new terminal. The inaugural arrival was welcomed with a warm reception led by MACL CEO & Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, alongside Turkish Airlines Maldives Station Manager Ms. Elif Ozturk Minach, Deputy Managing Director Mujthaba Latheef, and members of the MACL Executive Committee. The delegation greeted arriving passe

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has signed a tripartite agreement with the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Maldives National Air Traffic Service (MNATS) to enhance cooperation and support during emergencies at Velana International Airport (VIA). The signing ceremony was held today at Hulhulé Island Hotel and attended by senior officials from all three institutions. The agreement was signed by Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen and MPS Managing Director Hassan Sha

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has restructured the Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM), expanding its mandate beyond airports to include the security of all ports operated by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL). According to a directive issued on Sunday, AVSECOM has been renamed the Aviation and Port Security Command, bringing both aviation and seaport security under a single government agency. The President’s Office said the restructuring aims to establish a stronger, unified securi

Aeroflot officially began operations from Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport (VIA) on 28 December, marked by a ceremonial welcome for the airline’s inaugural arrival. The flight was received a traditional water salute, followed by a warm reception for arriving passengers. Among those present were Hussain Fahmy, Principal Secretary to the President on Policy and Manifesto; Evgeny Ratushnyy, Aeroflot General Manager for the Maldives; Aleksei Idamkin, Consul General of t

A robbery has been reported at the Maldivian office inside Hoarafushi Airport, after two boxes of cargo were stolen in the early hours of December 28. According to police, the report was received at 3:58 am on Saturday morning. Officers confirmed that two cargo boxes were taken from the Maldivian office, though the contents of the boxes have not been disclosed. Police say the case remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made so far. Airports in the Maldives oper

Velana International Airport (VIA) is experiencing one of its busiest days of the year today, with more than 27,000 passengers expected to travel through the airport before the day concludes. According to current operational data, the international terminal will see 22,142 passengers throughout the day. This includes 11,035 departing passengers and 11,107 arriving passengers, reflecting strong two‑way travel demand during the festive period. The domestic terminal is also reco

Hanimaadhoo International Airport recorded a new operational milestone today with the first private jet movement conducted at the airport. The airport’s expanded runway and upgraded infrastructure now allow it to accommodate a wider range of aircraft types, including private jets and narrow‑body commercial aircraft. Hanimaadhoo International Airport reopened earlier this year with expanded facilities intended to support increased traffic to the northern region. Since opening,

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

Agreement has been signed with the Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO) to develop a new Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) building at Gan International Airport. According to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment post on X, the new facility will strengthen the Maldives’ capacity to monitor weather patterns, improve forecasting accuracy, and enhance the delivery of timely alerts to communities across the country. WAMCO’s involvement in the project highlights the

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

Emirates officially launched its operations from the newly opened Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA) today, following a ceremonial ribbon‑cutting that marked the opening of the airline’s dedicated check‑in counters. Terminal 1, inaugurated as part of VIA’s multi‑year expansion programme, is designed to significantly enhance passenger capacity and streamline airport operations. The new facility features modern check‑in areas, advanced baggage handling systems, an

ITA Airways has commenced operations at Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport, becoming the 35th airline to begin using the new international terminal. The airline’s inaugural arrival was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute, followed by traditional Maldivian boduberu performances for disembarking passengers. ITA Airways has a history of operating seasonal services to the Maldives, continuing the winter‑season routes previously flown by Alitalia before the carrier cea

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

SriLankan Airlines has officially commenced operations at Velana International Airport’s (VIA) new Terminal 1, becoming the second Sri Lankan carrier after FitsAir to transition to the modern facility. Arriving passengers were greeted by Mohamed Rizvi Hassan, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Maldives, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, CEO and Managing Director of MACL, Deputy Managing Director Mujthaba Latheef, members of MACL’s Executive Committee, and SriLankan Airl

Maldives Airports Company Ltd. (MACL), the operator of Velana International Airport, has reported the highest net profit among state‑owned enterprises (SOEs) in the first quarter of 2025, posting earnings of MVR 571.83 million, according to figures released by the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB). MACL generated MVR 2.48 billion in total revenue during the quarter, marking a 14 percent increase compared to Q4 2024. The performance was driven by: Fuel Sales: MVR 1

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

Discover Airlines has begun operating from Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA), marking another step in the phased relocation of international carriers to the airports’ newly opened facility. The airline’s first service into the terminal was greeted with a ceremonial water salute, a traditional gesture to mark significant aviation milestones. Senior officials, including Ibrahim Nazeem, Managing Director of the Road Development Corporation, and Deputy Managing Dir

An MNDF Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was deployed over Male’ yesterday as fishermen staged a protest near the capital’s harbor. The drone remained airborne for nearly seven hours before returning to its base in Maafaru. The protest, organized by the Bodu Kanneli Masveringe Union (BKMU), began yesterday and is continuing today, with fishing vessels gathered off Male’s No. 1 Jetty. Fishermen are demanding the government deliver on pledges related to the purchase