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

Kuramathi Maldives will change the game for family travel this summer with the return of Campioni Soccer Academy’s exclusive football training camps. Running over two weeks in late July and early August 2025, the programme gives young players the chance to train with former Premier League stars John Barnes MBE, Stuart Pearce MBE, and UEFA-licensed coach Adrian Whitbread. Set on the island’s pristine beachfront pitch, this unique collaboration blends professional-level sports instruction with all the comforts of a luxury tropical holiday.

Where Football Legends Meet the Maldives

From 28 July to 1 August and again from 4 to 8 August 2025, the Campioni training camps welcome children aged 4 to 15. Barnes, Pearce, and Whitbread lead two hours of daily coaching, following the FA’s Four Corner Model. The sessions focus on more than just skill-building. They support teamwork, confidence, decision-making, and fun.

Week 1 (28 July–1 August): John Barnes and Adrian Whitbread
Week 2 (4–8 August): John Barnes, Stuart Pearce, and Adrian Whitbread

Training sessions run from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. This allows families to enjoy the day before heading to the pitch. Parents can watch from the sidelines or join the mid-week parents’ game. Each week ends with a medal and certificate ceremony, creating a celebratory close to the experience.

More Than a Training Camp

The football sessions mark just the beginning. The Campioni experience also includes:

A welcome drinks event to kick off the week
A parents vs. kids match hosted mid-week
A closing ceremony with certificates, medals, and photos
Dedicated Meet & Train events for local Maldivian children, connecting nearby communities with elite football talent

Kuramathi Maldives shows its commitment to family-focused experiences through its Bageecha Kids Club, which caters to children aged 3 to 12. The club offers nature walks, marine life discovery sessions, beach games, and eco-friendly workshops such as coral awareness and tree planting.

A Resort Built for Active Families

While young players train, parents can unwind in style. Kuramathi provides a wide array of activities for adults and families:

An award-winning spa with overwater and beachfront pavilions
A fully equipped fitness centre and yoga classes
Watersports like paddleboarding, snorkelling, and kayaking
World-class diving at Rasdhoo Atoll’s marine sites, including manta rays and turtles
A mile-long sandbank for morning walks or family beach time

The resort offers 360 villas, including Two Bedroom Beach Houses ideal for families and Deluxe Water Villas perched above turquoise lagoons. Guests choose from three meal plans. The Select All Inclusive option grants access to nine à la carte restaurants and seven bars. Evening entertainment features live music, discos, and sunset lounging at the Champagne Loft or Sand Bar.

Kuramathi leads in sustainable tourism through its Eco Centre, coral nursery, hydroponic gardens, and in-house water bottling plant. All contribute to its long-term environmental vision.

Win a Football-Filled Family Getaway

To celebrate the partnership, Kuramathi Maldives, Campioni Soccer Academy, and Visit Maldives launched a global giveaway for the summer. One lucky family of four will win:

A 5-night all-inclusive stay at Kuramathi during the Campioni 2025 dates
Participation for one child (aged 4–15) in the training programme
Roundtrip speedboat transfers from Velana International Airport

For entry details please see the Instagram post

A Holiday That Inspires

This collaboration offers more than just a football camp. It reimagines the family holiday experience by bringing professional sports, cultural exchange, community empowerment, and leisure together in one unforgettable setting.