Maldives Tourist Arrivals Fall 41% as Middle East Airline Disruptions Hit Travel

Maldives tourism is experiencing a sharp and immediate downturn, with new data showing a steep fall in arrivals during the first three days of March as airline restrictions linked to the Middle East conflict take effect.

The Maldives has recorded a 41.5% decline in average daily arrivals at the start of March compared with February’s official monthly average, according to figures aligned with the Ministry of Tourism’s February 2026 statistics.

In February before the conflict saw 247,722 tourists over 28 days, averaging 8,847 arrivals per day. In contrast, the first three days of March show a sudden and sustained drop:

• 1 March: 6,440 arrivals (–27.2%)

• 2 March: 4,107 arrivals (–53.6%)

• 3 March: 4,988 arrivals (–43.6%)

Across the three days, the Maldives received 15,535 tourists, compared with an expected 26,541 if February’s trend had continued resulting in a shortfall of 11,006 visitors.

The decline coincides directly with airspace closures and operational suspensions across the Middle East, triggered by escalating tensions involving Iran, the US and Israel. Several key flight corridors over the Gulf region have been restricted or closed entirely, forcing airlines to cancel services, reroute aircraft, or operate with extended flight times.

Major Middle Eastern carriers including Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Air Arabia have temporarily suspended flights to Male’ as they navigate  safety driven operational constraints.

These airlines collectively account for a large share of the Maldives’ connectivity, particularly from Europe and the Middle East. With these hubs disrupted, inbound traffic to the Maldives has dropped sharply, and multiple flights scheduled for 1–3 March were cancelled outright.

The ongoing disruptions are expected to affect the sector on several fronts, with resorts and guesthouses likely to see pressure on occupancy levels, operators revising revenue expectations, and travel partners reporting weaker forward bookings. The European market remains particularly vulnerable, as a large share of travellers rely on Gulf transit hubs now affected by airspace closures and airline suspensions, making connectivity uncertain in the short term.

If the current trend continues, March could become one of the most challenging months for arrivals since the pandemic recovery period. Tourism authorities and industry partners are monitoring developments closely as airlines adjust operations day by day.