Passenger flight frequency in the Maldives has risen for the summer season, a shift attributed by Mohamed Ameen, the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, to a strategic reduction in jet fuel prices intended to incentivise international carriers.
During a press conference at the President's Office, the minister stated that the government is prioritising efforts to mitigate the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on the tourism sector, noting that these measures are yielding tangible results.
Ameen reported that while an average of 99 flights were cancelled each week at the onset of the conflict, that figure has declined to 70, representing a 22 per cent improvement. "When I characterise our current status as progress, I do not mean to imply that we have completely reverted to our previous operational baseline," he explained.
"During the initial period, approximately 90 flights were being cancelled. However, major Gulf carriers have now resumed their operation. Emirates has recommenced its services. Qatar Airways has also initiated its flights. Furthermore, five major airlines are currently actively servicing the Maldives," he added.
As flight schedules for the summer season are finalised, passenger volumes have recorded a two per cent increase over the previous year. To bolster participation, the retail price of jet fuel was reduced on 15 May from USD 1.90 to USD 1.60 per litre.
While visitor numbers fell by 22 per cent in March and 26 per cent in April year-over-year, the sector has achieved a 17 per cent improvement against more recent months. With the inauguration of direct flights between Australia and the Maldives, an aircraft arrived from Melbourne on Wednesday at 92 per cent capacity, underscoring an optimistic outlook.