[Current Date] – The Maldivian Ministry of Transport today announced efforts to increase the number of airlines operating from non-Middle Eastern countries, following disruptions to flights from major Middle Eastern carriers.

Minister Ameen speaking at a press conference held today at the President’s Office. Photo: President’s Office

Regional Tensions Impact Flights

Airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Fly Dubai, which operate routes to the Maldives, have experienced disruptions to their services. These interruptions coincide with recent military actions in the Middle East, including retaliatory attacks by Iran against Israel and US bases in the region, which commenced yesterday.

The Ministry of Transport stated that it is closely monitoring the evolving situation. While acknowledging the impact on flights between the Middle East and the Maldives, the Ministry confirmed that services from other airlines are currently operating according to their schedules.

Diversification Efforts Underway

To mitigate the potential impact of the current geopolitical climate, the Ministry is engaged in discussions with airlines from Southeast Asia, East Asia, and India. The objective of these discussions is to introduce additional flight services from these regions to the Maldives.

The Ministry’s primary objective is to minimise inconvenience for tourists travelling to the Maldives, Maldivian citizens journeying abroad, and foreign residents within the country.