Sri Lanka’s decision to propose Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) as an alternative hub for major Gulf airlines highlights how countries in the region are moving quickly to adapt to shifting aviation realities. By positioning MRIA as a reliable southern routing option during a period of Middle Eastern airspace disruption, Sri Lanka is demonstrating the kind of strategic thinking that the Maldives, too, must consider as it works to strengthen and future‑proof its

A Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) vehicle overturned on the Male’ – Hulhumale’ highway after crashing into the bridge‑side fencing, leaving two people injured and receiving medical treatment. Images widely shared on social media show the small white truck flipped onto its side near the roadside barrier. According to the Maldives Police Service, the incident occurred while the vehicle was travelling from Hulhumale’ toward Velana International Airport. The vehicle stru

Private jet traffic to the Maldives has surged sharply with 128 aircraft landing between 28 February and 14 March, marking a 166 percent increase compared to the 70 arrivals recorded during the same period last year. The figures point to a significant shift in how high‑end travellers are reaching the island nation, with many opting for direct private aviation amid widespread cancellations and delays affecting major transit hubs across the Middle East. Last year, the Maldives

A drone incident near Dubai International Airport (DXB) has triggered a fire affecting one of the airport’s fuel tanks, leading to widespread operational disruption across the region. According to the Dubai Media Office, Dubai Civil Defence teams are currently working to bring the fire under control, and no injuries have been reported. Authorities confirmed that an unauthorised drone was detected in the vicinity of the airport, resulting in an impact that caused a fire at a f

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has increased the price of jet fuel sold to aircraft, citing rising international oil prices and higher import costs. The adjustment marks one of the steepest single‑step increases in recent years and reflects the broader volatility in global energy markets. MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef confirmed that the new selling price for jet fuel is USD 1.69 per litre, up from USD 1.19. The 50‑cent jump represents a 42% increase, im

Tourism arrivals to Maldives remain sharply lower in early March, with new data showing a continued decline in daily visitor numbers as airline disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict affect global connectivity. Updated figures from the Ministry of Tourism Maldives show that 49,962 tourists arrived between 1st - 10th March 2026, averaging 4,996 arrivals per day. For comparison, February recorded 247,722 visitors over 28 days, which equals a daily average of 8,847 arriv

British Airways has cancelled multiple flights across the Middle East as the airline continues to respond to heightened regional tensions and evolving airspace restrictions. The cancellations affect services to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, Bahrain and Israel, with the suspension currently in place through at least 15 March. The airline confirmed that flights to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Amman, Bahrain and Tel Aviv remain grounded while safety assessments continue. B

Two Indian nationals have been arrested at Velana International Airport after authorities discovered 6.7 kilograms of hashish oil concealed inside their luggage. The seized narcotics carry an estimated street value of MVR 5.4 million, making it one of the more significant drug interceptions at the airport this year. Customs and police officials detected the package of hashish oil during routine screening of the passengers’ luggage. The two suspects, aged 21 and 19, were immed

Emirates has introduced a reduced flight schedule following the partial reopening of regional airspace, restoring more than 100 flights across March 5th and 6th while continuing to prioritize safety and operational stability. Maldives is included in the airline’s updated list of destinations now receiving limited service, appearing in the fifth and sixth groupings of the operating network.  MaltaToday The airline confirms that it will operate a restricted schedule until furth

Flight cancellations at Velana International Airport (VIA) are set to continue for a third consecutive day, with 18 inbound flights scheduled for tomorrow now cancelled as the Middle East conflict forces widespread airspace closures across the region. Photo: Dhauru News The disruptions primarily affect major Gulf carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, flydubai, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Air Arabia, and etc. The present‑day conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran

Maldives Customs has intercepted 2.2 kilograms of heroin smuggled into the country by air, marking the latest in a series of narcotics seizures this year. Officials confirmed that the drugs were recovered from a traveller who arrived in the Maldives last Friday, and laboratory analysis later verified the substance as heroin. The haul carries an estimated street value of MVR 2.2 million, according to Customs. Customs officers detected the narcotics during routine screening at

Two private jet operations departing from Male’ were forced to return to Velana International Airport (VIA) today after widespread Middle East airspace closures disrupted their planned routes toward Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean. The disruptions follow escalating regional tensions triggered by Israeli strikes, which led several Gulf states to suspend flights and restrict airspace. A VistaJet private jet operating a charter service from Male’ to Košice, Slovakia, initia

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has issued a revised circular confirming that employees who work more than five hours during Ramadan will continue to receive overtime pay, reinstating the long‑standing practice followed in previous years. The move follows strong internal and public backlash to an earlier circular that indicated overtime would not be paid for work exceeding five hours during the holy month. That initial notice marked a clear departure from previous ye

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

Greater Bay Airlines of Hong Kong has begun charter operations to the Maldives, marking another expansion of the country’s air connectivity with East Asia. The airline’s inaugural service, flight HB2500, arrived at Velana International Airport yesterday, where it was welcomed with a traditional water salute. A total of 174 passengers travelled on the first flight. Greater Bay Airlines will operate direct charter flights between Hong Kong and Malé using the Boeing 737 MAX, add

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

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

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is one of the strongest and most profitable state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the Maldives. Its financial performance, anchored by the operation of Velana International Airport has consistently placed it at the top among SOEs. However, over the course of 2025, MACL embarked on an unusually broad and intensive investment programme aligned with government development priorities. The scale, speed, and diversity of these commitments repres