Maldivian, the national airline, has officially launched its direct flight operations between Melbourne, Australia, and the Maldives today. The historic inaugural flight arrived with 240 tourists, who were accorded a warm welcome upon their arrival at Velana International Airport.
Currently scheduled for one weekly frequency, these flights have already received an overwhelming response. Maldivian projects that this new direct link will significantly bolster tourist arrivals, with an estimated 11,000 visitors expected to travel to the Maldives via this route annually.
As Australia consistently ranks among the top ten source markets for the Maldivian tourism industry, the introduction of these 11-hour flights—operated using wide-body aircraft—represents a strategic expansion initiated following extensive market research and feasibility studies.
