The Maldives has recorded a notable increase in international flight arrivals during the first ten months of the year, according to the latest report from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). This rise has significantly contributed to the ongoing growth in tourist arrivals to the island nation.
The MMA’s November report reveals that 13,671 international flights arrived in the Maldives as of October, marking an increase of 653 flights compared to the 13,018 recorded during the same period last year. Scheduled flight operations also saw a rise, with 12,565 flights conducted during this period, up from 11,975 in the first ten months of 2023.
In addition to scheduled flights, the Maldives remains a popular destination for charter and private jet travel. The report highlights that 1,106 charter and private flights arrived during the period, compared to 1,043 flights in the same timeframe last year.
The surge in flight arrivals has positively impacted tourist arrivals. As of December 17, the Maldives had welcomed 1.9 million tourists, surpassing the 1.8 million arrivals recorded by the same date in 2023.
This year, the government has set an ambitious target of attracting two million tourists. With just 58,805 more arrivals needed, the Maldives is on track to achieve this milestone before the year ends.
The increase in international flights underscores the growing appeal of the Maldives as a global travel destination, with strong contributions from both commercial airlines and luxury travel options. This upward trend not only benefits the tourism sector but also bolsters the broader economy.
As the year draws to a close, industry stakeholders remain optimistic about achieving the government’s tourism goals and sustaining this momentum into the coming year.
