Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has described the launch of direct flights between the Maldives and Australia as a major step forward for the country’s tourism, aviation and commercial sectors.
Speaking to the media during a ceremony marking the commencement of the new route, Ameen said the introduction of nonstop flights between the two countries would strengthen tourism arrivals, expand business opportunities and further enhance bilateral relations.
The flights, launched by Maldivian, mark the first time in history that direct air connectivity has been established between the Maldives and Australia.
“This is truly a massive step forward for us,” Ameen said, noting that Australia is already among the Maldives’ important tourism source markets.
According to the Minister, the new direct route to Melbourne comes at a particularly important time for the tourism industry, as global travel patterns continue to face disruptions linked to unrest in the Middle East.
He noted that although the Maldives has recently seen some decline in tourist arrivals due to global uncertainties, the government is actively working to diversify and strengthen tourism markets.
Ameen stated that the direct Australia connection is expected to further expand the Maldivian tourism market while also benefiting small businesses and trade activities linked to the industry.
The Minister also highlighted the significance of adding wide-body aircraft to Maldivian’s fleet, describing it as part of President Mohamed Muizzu’s broader vision to strengthen the national carrier and improve international connectivity.
In a notable milestone for the airline, the inaugural Melbourne-to-Malé flight was operated entirely by a local Maldivian crew.
Maldivian officially launched the route this week using its Airbus A330 aircraft, with weekly scheduled flights planned in partnership with Australian travel company Luxury Escapes.
The new route is expected to further deepen tourism, business and people-to-people ties between the Maldives and Australia while enhancing the Maldives’ connectivity to long-haul markets.
