Winter is Coming—A wave of Airlines to Resume Flights to the Maldives

The tide of Maldives’ tourism industry is changing. Now, more airlines have announced their plans to resume flights to the Maldives in coming months. Meanwhile, more resorts in the Maldives are reopening. And guesthouses have also reopened their doors. The island nation has also taken up safety measures to new levels. Thus, it’s a high time for the country’s tourism industry once again, as it’s on road to recovery.

For travellers, accessing the island nation will become even easier with the resumption of these airlines in the upcoming months. If you trust in the unparalleled safety measures the Maldives offers, it really is the time to plan your getaway.

Airlines to Resume Flights to the Maldives on October 2020

Nordwind Airlines: The Russian leisure airline Nordwind resumes operations today, 27th October 2020. The airline will operate a flight on every Tuesday and Friday to Velana International Airport from Sheremetyevo Alexander S. Pushkin International Airport.

FlyDubai: FlyDubai will resume its operations today, 27th October 2020. The airline will operate 4 flights from Dubai itself. These 4 flights will fly to the Maldives on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Lufthansa: The largest German airline will restart operations to the Maldives on 28th October 2020. The airline will operate 2 flights per week. Likewise, these flights will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays.

GoAir: From three cities of India, GoAir will resume flights to the Maldives on 31st October 2020. The three cities include; Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. Furthermore, the airline will use its A320 aircraft for Maldives operations.

Airlines to Resume Flights to the Maldives on November 2020

Azur Air: The Russian airline will operate flights three times a week from Vnukovo International Airport. Furthermore, these flights will operate to the Maldives on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

China Southern Airlines: The Airline will operate flights from Guangzhou, China to Male’. And the operations will commence on 29th November 2020.

Airlines to Resume Flights to the Maldives on December 2020

Air Seychelles: Air Seychelles revealed to start flights from Johannesburg to the Maldives. The airline will operate flights every Friday night from Johannesburg to the Maldives for 6 weeks.

Silk Air: The regional wing of Singapore Airlines will operate flights to the Maldives from 1st December 2020. Flights will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. In addition to that, Silk Air will use its Boeing 737-800 for Maldives operations.

Airlines Currently Operating to the Maldives

Austrian Airlines: Austrian Airlines commenced operations to the Maldives on 25th October 2020. The airline operates direct flights from Vienna, Austria to the Maldives. Flights will fly twice-a-week to the island nation in mid-December, conceding with the festive season

Aeroflot: The flag carrier of Russia resumed its operations to the Maldives on 11th September 2020. The airline has increased its flight frequency yesterday, 26th October 2020. Thus, Aeroflot will fly 4 flights a week to the Maldives on Fridays, Sundays, Mondays, and Saturdays.

flights to Maldives — Austrian Airlines flight in the Maldives
*Image: Velana International Airport*

Emirates: Emirates has also recently increased its flight frequency to the Maldives. The airline now operates 10 flights per week to the island nation. According to figures from the Maldives Tourism Ministry, Emirates brought in 13,379 passengers to the Maldives (as of 18th October 2020) since the border reopening. Thus, making Emirates the airline that has brought the highest number of passengers to the Maldives since the borders reopened.

British Airways: British Airways commenced its operations to the Maldives on 17th October 2020. The airline flies 3 flights a week from London Heathrow.

Air India: Neighboring India’s flag carrier brought in 903 passengers to the Maldives as of 18th October 2020, since the borders reopened. Air India is operating flights to the Maldives as a part of the Air Bubble between India and the Maldives.

Also read: Maldives and India Creates First Air Bubble in South Asia

Edelweiss: The swiss airline is flying directly from Zurich to Velana International Airport. Furthermore, according to the figures form Tourism Industry, Edelweiss brought in 142 since border reopening, as of 18th October 2020.

Etihad Airways: The second flag carrier of UAE brought in 886 passengers to the Maldives with 72 flight movements as of 18th October 2020. Etihad is operating its 136-seater A320 to the Maldives.

Indigo: The low-cost airline resumed flights to the Maldives on 15th October 2020. However, the airline has been operating flights to the Maldives as a part of the India-Maldives Air bubble as well.

Qatar Airways: Qatar airways was the first carrier to resume operations to the Maldives upon border reopening. The airline has brought in a total of 13,250 passengers with 192 flight movements since the border reopening (as of 18th October 2020).

Spicejet: Another Indian low-cost airline, Spicejet been operating flights to the Maldives. The airline brought in 274 passengers since the border reopening, as of 18th October.

SriLankan Airlines: The flag carrier of Sri Lanka is operating 7 flights a week to the Maldives. In addition to that, SriLankan Airlines has connected London, Paris, Frankfurt and Milan to the Maldives.

Turkish Airlines: The flag carrier of Turkey has brought in 2,160 passengers to the Maldives since the border reopening (as of 18th October 2020).

So, is an airline from your country operating to the Maldives? In addition to these airlines, Italy’s leisure airline, Neos is set to commence operations to the Maldives as well. More airlines are also expected to announce their plans to start operations to the Maldives in the coming weeks.

A British Airways flight in the Maldives
*Image: Velana International Airport*

Also read: The Maldives Allows Split Stay in all Tourist Establishments

If you have plans to visit the Maldives, remember you need a PCR test, taken 96 hours before your arrival in the Maldives. You should submit the results when you fill the Traveler Health Declaration Form. This form can be submitted via the Maldives Immigration website. Furthermore, with split stay between tourist facilities now allowed, you can actually spend your holiday on different islands in the Maldives.

COVID-19 has had a huge (negative) impact on the tourism industry of the Maldives. But, arrivals are now picking up at a steady pace. And with these airlines now resuming operations, tourist arrivals are expected to increase even further.

Feature image by Velana International Airport

This June, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites travelers to experience Eid Al-Adha in a way that goes beyond the usual holiday. The adult-only resort has created a special two-day celebration that offers a hands-on look at Maldivian culture through storytelling, traditional crafts, and local flavors. It forms part of their ongoing ‘Discover Local’ program, designed to help guests truly connect with island life.

Learning the Ancient Art of Joali Weaving

One of the standout moments takes place on Saturday, June 7, when guests join a Joali weaving workshop. This craft involves weaving coconut rope into practical items and has been quietly passed down through island families for generations. Since resorts rarely showcase this tradition, this becomes a rare chance for guests to experience a living cultural art.

Mohamed Irshad, the Front Office Manager of Mercue Maldives Kooddoo, shares why it matters:

“We don’t want to just show our guests the Maldives, we want them to feel it through our traditions. Joali weaving is one of those rare crafts that tells the story of resourcefulness, connection to nature, and island life”

Eid Buffet and the Colorful Maali Parade

The celebration starts on the evening of June 6 with an Eid buffet featuring refined takes on local festive dishes. Here, the resort prepares everything using fresh ingredients sourced nearby, celebrating the Maldives’ rich culinary heritage.

Then, the following night, the resort comes alive with the Maali Parade, a lively procession inspired by traditional Maldivian folklore. Masked performers bring ancient stories to life right on the island.

Dining Under the Sun: The Sandbank Picnic Experience

No trip to the Maldives feels complete without a sandbank picnic, and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers a particularly memorable version. Set on a tiny, untouched island surrounded by crystal-clear water, guests enjoy an authentic meal served on tropical leaves. This picnic offers a tasting journey into Maldivian flavors, featuring local specialties like:

Gulha: Coconut and tuna fritters
Kulhi Kaajaa: Spicy tuna bites
Bajiya: Pastries filled with sweet and spicy mixes
Rihaakuru Kaajaa: Fritters made from rich fish paste
Dry Fish: Smoked tuna strips
Bodi: Sweet coconut treats with toddy syrup

Along with fresh coconut water, the food makes the meal both refreshing and deeply connected to the island’s culinary traditions.

Year-Round Cultural Experiences with ‘Discover Local’

Although Eid brings special energy to the resort, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo’s cultural offerings continue throughout the year. For instance, the ‘Discover Local’ program invites guests to try their hand at traditional sunset fishing, palm leaf art, and sampling cultural cocktails inspired by island ingredients.

The cocktail menu features creations such as:

Maldivian Green: A blend of gin, curry leaf syrup, lemon, and soda water
Ocean Breeze: Vodka infused with butterfly pea flower, peach schnapps, pineapple, and coconut syrup
Green Kooddoo: Rum mixed with Malibu, pandan leaf juice, pineapple, and coconut syrup
Mirus Rita: A spicy twist on the classic margarita using chili-infused Maldivian tequila
Coco Kurumba: Whisky combined with tamarind juice, coconut milk, and passion fruit syrup

These drinks add an extra layer to the island experience and let guests taste Maldivian flavors in a completely new way.

More Than a Vacation: A Cultural Journey

If you visit for Eid or explore Maldivian culture at any time, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers more than a stay. In fact, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives as a vibrant, living culture, full of stories, flavors, and traditions that stay with you long after the trip ends.