Productive discussions were held at the Roots Asia 2026 forum in Xi’an, China, regarding the commencement of direct flights to the Maldives by several major global airlines. These talks were facilitated by the International Halal Tourism Organization (IHTO).

According to the IHTO, highly constructive dialogue took place with leading carriers including Riyadh Air, Cebu Pacific, and Vietnam Airlines, as well as some of China’s most prominent aviation companies. During the forum, numerous airlines expressed a keen interest in expanding their networks to include the Maldives in the near future.

The Maldives was promoted at Roots Asia 2026 as the fastest-growing aviation market in the Indian Ocean region and a premier luxury tourism destination. The forum served as a key platform for aviation industry leaders from across Asia to explore growth opportunities and strategic partnerships.