Maldivian to Launch Daily Male’ to Kudahuvadhoo Flights from 17th September

The national airline Maldivian will begin daily scheduled flights between Male’ and Dh. Kudahuvadhoo from Thursday, 17 September, expanding its domestic network.

Tickets are available through Maldivian’s website, mobile application, ticketing offices and authorisedian sales channels, with a promotional said one-way fare starting at MVR  1,111.

The launch marks a return to the Male’–Kudahuvadhoo route for Maldivian, which previously operated commercial flights to the airport before ending the service in September 2021 . In the interim, Maldivian has been operating charter flights to Kudahuvadhoo at the request of Manta Air, which uses the airport as its hub .

The new scheduled service comes amid a significant contraction in the domestic aviation sector. Manta Air, which had been the sole operator on the Male’–Kudahuvadhoo route with up to four daily flights, is reportedly preparing to further reduce its ATR 72 domestic operations as the airline increasingly shifts its focus towards the expansion of its seaplane business .

The airline is understood to be evaluating the future utilisation of its remaining aircraft as it adjusts its fleet and operations to changing market conditions.

Sources familiar with the matter said Manta Air intends to transition exclusively to seaplane services, citing the absence of routes through which its domestic operations could be expanded profitably . The airline’s domestic fleet, which consisted of three ATR 72-600 aircraft, has reportedly already been reduced to a single machine .

Manta Air has not yet commented publicly on any operational changes following Maldivian’s entry into the route .

Manta Air’s withdrawal would leave Maldivian as the sole carrier serving most domestic airports, with Villa Air operating only limited routes to Maamigili and Dharavandhoo .