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Flyme Recommences Domestic Flight Operations

Premier airline of the maldives, Flyme flight
Flyme recommences domestic flight operations today after the suspension of operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Privately-owned airline – Flyme recommences domestic flight operations today, 1st October 2020, after suspension of operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The premier airline of the Maldives will take the skies once again today from Villa Airport Maamigilli.

Providing a distinctive and unique experience for travelers, Flyme is owned and operated by Villa Air. The airline envisions to go beyond what it has been practicing in the past as Flyme begins its journey once again today. Furthermore, today also marks as a special occasion for Flyme, as the airline celebrates the 9th year of its operations. Flyme has also commenced International operations, with an inaugural flight to Sri Lanka on 4th September 2020. Likewise, Villa Air announced to expand its operations into multiple international destinations as well.

Villa Air aims to bring on-board its employees back as the passenger traffic picks up progressively. It was a tough decision for the top management to make during the pandemic on the release of its employees. However, with the impact the pandemic had on the tourism industry, we foresaw no other option for the time being. We are working to bring back each and every employee back to Villa Air at the earliest opportunity. The airline further intends to revitalize the economy and aid the government in bringing international traffic to the country. Moreover, we are continuously working on improving our services to our customers and creating a positive environment for the employees in order to become the utmost reliable airline in the aviation industry.

Abdulla Nashid, Managing Director of Flyme said.

Flyme initiated operations in October 2011 with flights between Maamigili and Velana International Airport via two ATR 42-500 aircraft. Since then, the airline has been serving three destinations in the Maldives which include; Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll, Villa Airport Maamigili in Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, and the main Velana International Airport in Capital Male’ Atoll. Additionally, Flyme currently boasts a fleet of four ATR aircraft consisting of one 72 seat ATR 72-600, two 68 seat ATR 72-500, and one 48 seat ATR 42-500. The airline uses its ATR 72-600 aircraft to serve the route between the Maldives and Sri Lanka as well.

VillaAir – a part of the Villa Group of companies manages the Villa Maamigili airport. The state-of-art airport features a passenger lounge that can cater up to 120 travelers. Likewise, its capacity has been increased by 200% compared to 2013. In addition to that, the Villa Group also manages five resorts in the Maldives under Villa Hotels.

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Maldives Shines at ATM 2025: Minister Thoriq Highlights Success and Growth Ahead

Maldives ATM 2025 - Arabian Travel Market 2025

The Maldives has made a bold and unforgettable statement at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, capturing the attention and hearts of visitors with a magnetic mix of culture, innovation, and immersive storytelling. Held in Dubai, ATM is the region’s most influential travel and tourism event, and this year, the Maldives came prepared not just to participate, but to lead.

The Maldives’ Impactful Presence at ATM 2025

Reflecting on the success of the event, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, shared his thoughts on what made the Maldives stand truly shine. He emphasized that ATM serves as a key platform for reaching the luxury travel market in the region, and the Maldives fully embraced the opportunity. With 111 tourism establishments and over 200 representatives taking part, the country delivered a unified message: the Maldives is more than just a destination, it is an experience.

According to the Minister, the Maldives’ stand didn’t just appeal visually; it came alive with music, art, and cultural performances that drew consistent crowds throughout the fair. Moreover, live entertainment brought energy to the space, attracting a steady flow of visitors. Maldives resorts and travel businesses engaged meaningfully with partners, and notably, many reported receiving more B2B appointments than they initially expected, signaling a growing demand.

Collaborative Success Behind the Maldives’ Stand

The Minister also highlighted the collaborative effort behind the success, commending both the individual organizations and MMPRC (Visit Maldives) for working together to present a powerful, unified message. In his view, the presence was well-coordinated and reflective of the Maldives’ true identity and allure.

Additionally, he pointed out that the immersive “Maldivian Evening” event, held on the sidelines of ATM, helped amplify this momentum. The cultural spectacle showcased everything from heritage-inspired fashion to traditional storytelling and gastronomy, deepening the emotional connection with the destination.

“This level of engagement gives me great confidence,” the Minister said, expressing optimism that the strong interest generated at ATM will translate into increased arrivals. With 2 million tourist arrivals achieved in 2024, the Maldives now aims for 2.3 million visitors by the end of 2025.

From strategy to storytelling, the Maldives’ presence at ATM 2025 made one thing clear: the island paradise is setting new standards in destination marketing.


This article was based on an interview with the Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, by Sukun Play.

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