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Trans Maldivian Airways Nominated as Indian Ocean's Leading Seaplane Operator 2020

Trans Maldivian Airways aircraft in ready to take off from a turquoise lagoon in Maldives.
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has been nominated as the Indian Ocean’s leading seaplane operator at World Travel Awards 2020.

Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has been nominated as the Indian Ocean’s leading seaplane operator at World Travel Awards 2020. TMA has defended and won the prestigious title since 2014. Additionally, TMA also defends the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator title since 2014.

World Travel Awards celebrates excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The awards are recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence. Gala ceremonies are regarded as a milestone events in the industry calendar. The ceremonies are attended by the industry’s key decision makers and figure heads, as well as key trade and consumer media.

TMA currently operates a fleet of 57 aircrafts throughout the Maldivian archipelago. The airline flies over 1,000,000 passengers per year to their holiday destinations. The operator has recommenced operations from 15th July 2020 with enhanced safety measures. All TMA aircraft undergo a complete and thorough disinfection process upon returning to the Seaplane Base. For additional safety, the airline provides a Complimentary travel hygiene kit to travelers which includes face masks, gloves and hand sanitizer.

Wherever possible, the airline has put forth guidelines to minimize direct contact between passengers and staff. TMA’s overall objective is to keep it simple and safe for passengers throughout their journey with speedy service and minimum inconvenience to guests. Starting from check-in counters to arrival at guests’ destination, TMA provides adequate sanitization options, along with PPE for those who would require them.

TMA started in 1989 as a company operating a helicopter fleet under the name Hummingbird Island Helicopters. With the succession of seaplane operation in the country, Hummingbird Island Helicopters later changed the name to Hummingbird Island Airways, and the first seaplane was added to the fleet in 1997. The transition to a seaplane-only fleet was completed in 1999 and a year later the name Trans Maldivian Airways came to be. Today, TMA represents as a synonym for connecting the Maldives islands. It is the oldest air services operator in the Maldives and has grown to become the largest seaplane operator in the world.

Feature image by MVHOTELS
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Why the Maldives Remains the World’s Most Dreamed-Of Destination in 2025

Why visit Maldives in 2025 - SAii Lagoon Maldives

It’s 2025, and the world has never felt smaller—jet-setting across continents is easier, Instagram feeds are overflowing with breathtaking locales, and travel lists have expanded to every hidden gem imaginable. Yet, in the midst of this global wanderlust, one place continues to rise above the rest. The Maldives isn’t just holding onto its title—it’s redefining what a dream destination looks like. But why? Why visit Maldives in 2025 What makes these tiny islands in the Indian Ocean consistently capture our imaginations and remain so deeply etched on our travel bucket lists?

To answer that, we need to look beyond the obvious

The Power of Perception—and Reality

When we think “Maldives,” what flashes into the mind is crystal-clear turquoise water, thatched-roof water villas, and candle-lit dinners under infinite stars. However, the secret to the Maldives’ enduring appeal isn’t just surface-level beauty. It’s the way it lives up to, and often exceeds, those lofty expectations. There’s a reason these islands so frequently grace the pages of Forbes Travel Guide and win top-tier TripAdvisor accolades. These aren’t empty praises; they’re affirmations from travelers who’ve seen the world—and still say, “this place is different.”

Indeed, it is.

While other tropical destinations might offer beaches, the Maldives offers immersion. Here, you’re not just visiting paradise—you’re living in it, if only for a little while. The separation from the mainland world, the silence of the sea, the way your footprints are the only ones in the sand… that experience is increasingly rare in today’s tourism-heavy hotspots. It’s not just escapism. It’s reconnection. And people are craving that more than ever.

Privacy as the New Luxury

Building on that sense of immersion, the Maldives also stands out for how it redefines luxury—not through excess, but through privacy. In a world hyper-aware of space and privacy, the Maldives has become a front-runner in catering to what today’s traveler truly wants: exclusivity, serenity, and space to breathe. Each resort, often its own private island, offers a sense of seclusion that’s almost impossible to replicate elsewhere.

This shift isn’t merely about avoiding crowds, it’s about psychological freedom. Imagine waking up with the ocean lapping beneath your bungalow and not hearing a single car, not seeing a high-rise, not checking your phone for traffic updates. That kind of peace has become priceless in the digital age. Therefore, the Maldives doesn’t just offer a vacation—it offers a detox from modern life.

Sustainability Meets Sophistication

Moreover, what’s also elevating the Maldives in 2025 is its commitment to sustainability without compromising luxury. In fact, many travelers are now choosing the Maldives because of how it’s tackling environmental issues. Resorts are integrating coral regeneration projects, zero-waste systems, solar energy, and marine conservation programs directly into the guest experience. You don’t just stay—you learn, contribute, and leave with a deeper sense of place.

That level of conscientiousness resonates strongly with modern travelers. The dream destination of today isn’t just beautiful—it’s responsible. And in the Maldives, the fusion of sustainability and sophistication feels seamless, not forced.

More Than Just a Honeymoon Haven

Adding to its layered appeal, the Maldives is also shedding the “just for couples” label. Yes, it’s the poster child for romance, and it wears that badge well. But it’s also become more versatile than people realize. Families, solo travelers, wellness seekers, fitness enthusiasts, adventure junkies—they’re all here. Whether you’re snorkeling with manta rays, indulging in holistic spa rituals, or dining under the sea (literally), the Maldives caters to a surprisingly wide range of interests.

So, in other words, it’s not just about who you travel with. It’s about how deeply you want to feel transformed by where you go.

The Intangible Element

Even with all those tangible advantages, there’s one more reason the Maldives remains on top, something less quantifiable, but no less powerful. Here’s the part that’s harder to define but arguably the most important. The Maldives isn’t just a destination; it’s a feeling. It’s that breath you didn’t realize you were holding. It’s the slow exhale as the sun sets in colors you didn’t know existed. It’s the weightlessness of drifting over coral gardens and the quiet joy of being somewhere utterly unlike anywhere else.

Ultimately, it’s why people save for years to come here. Why they propose here. Celebrate here. Return here.

Where the Dream Becomes Reality

All things considered, in 2025 when options are endless and travelers more discerning than ever—the Maldives still calls to the dreamers. Not just because it’s beautiful, but because it delivers something deeper. Emotional escape, unmatched luxury, environmental awareness, and the rarest kind of silence.

That’s why, even as new destinations rise in popularity, the Maldives continues to top wish lists and award charts alike. Because when people close their eyes and picture the ultimate getaway, they still see those islands.

And honestly—how could they not?

Feature Image: SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton

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