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 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,

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

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

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

Manta Air has strengthened its engineering capabilities with new approval from the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) to perform specialized Non‑Destructive Testing (NDT) on aircraft structures and components. The D1 rating, granted to the airline’s Maintenance Organisation, places Manta Air among the few operators in the country authorized to carry out these high‑precision inspections in‑house. The certification allows the airline to conduct three advanced NDT methods:

The government has announced plans to invest USD 17 million (MVR 262.14 million) for Gan International Airport‘s development project....