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Maldives Airways, based in Malé, Maldives, operated from 1984 to 1986, providing scheduled passenger flights with a fleet of two Douglas DC-8 aircraft. The introduction of American-made aircraft was particularly notable, as Air Maldives, the national carrier, was operating only a single Short Skyvan at the time.

Maldives Airways was jointly owned and operated by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which played a significant role in establishing the airline in the Maldives. The PLO had experience in the aviation sector and was also the owner of Transportes Aéreos da Guiné-Bissau, an airline that operated in West Africa. At the time, Transportes Aéreos da Guiné-Bissau was led by Faiz Zaidan, a key figure in aviation management. Later, Zaidan would go on to oversee civil aviation for the Palestinian Authority.

The involvement of the PLO in Maldives Airways was part of a broader effort to expand its economic and logistical operations internationally. While the airline had a short-lived presence, operating between 1984 and 1986, its creation reflected strategic interests beyond commercial aviation. The partnership was notable given the geopolitical context of the time, as the PLO sought to establish diplomatic and business ties with different nations. Despite its relatively brief period of activity, Maldives Airways stood out for operating a fleet of American-manufactured Douglas DC-8 aircraft, a remarkable contrast to the fleet of Air Maldives, which at the time consisted of only one Short Skyvan.

This airline was one of the many companies which also functioned as a screen for the secret activities of the PLO at that time and Maldives Airways planes were engaged in smuggling weapons or drugs for the Palestinian Authority.

The Maldivian authorities permitted the airline to operate within the country without imposing any restrictions. However, it remains unclear whether they were fully aware of the nature of its activities. The airline’s inaugural flight carried a group of local officials and travel agents on a round-trip journey from Malé to Gan Island in Addu Atoll.

Maldives Airways aircraft were frequently spotted on the tarmac at Hulhulé Airport, though the specifics of their flight routes were not always clear. During its two years of operation, the airline maintained at least one regular service between Malé and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Some tourist resort operators expressed concerns about the PLO’s presence in the Maldives, a sentiment that was echoed in the German press, as Germany accounted for the largest share of tourist arrivals to the country at the time. In 1986, Maldives Airways declared bankruptcy, and by 1987, its two DC-8 aircraft were sold to Connie Kalitta Services. Today, discussions about the defunct airline remain rare, particularly among local government officials.