The government is pushing hard to bolster the national carrier, Maldivian, and to launch direct flights from major world cities to the island nation, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has revealed.
In an exclusive interview with PSM News, Minister Ameen said strengthening Maldivian has become a top priority in light of the COVID‑19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, both of which exposed the vulnerability of the country’s air connectivity.
“One of the biggest goals of the government is to start direct flights from major cities to Maldives,” he stated, adding that increasing the airline’s capacity is central to that ambition.
The Minister noted that substantial work is already underway to expand Maldivian’s fleet, with plans to acquire Airbus aircraft and modernise the fleet for domestic routes.
“A lot of work is already being done to increase the capacity of Maldivian and a lot of work is planned to be done next year,” he said.
He acknowledged delays in securing new aircraft but expressed confidence that additional planes will join the fleet by the end of this year or early next year.
Beyond the airline, infrastructure upgrades are progressing rapidly. The runway and apron expansion at Maafaru International Airport have been completed, allowing the largest aircraft to operate there. Around 20 percent of the terminal work at Maafaru is finished, while development at Dharavandhoo Airport continues apace, he added.