Maldivian, the national carrier, has reported overwhelming demand for its newly launched route to Australia, with flight schedules reaching near capacity through November. The airline confirms that the initial phase of operations has seen significant success since its commencement.

Financial Controller Mohamed Rameez stated that the first three flights are completely fully booked, with each flight carrying 264 passengers. He further noted that approximately 50 percent of the total seat capacity across all scheduled flights until November has already been reserved.

The airline anticipates facilitating the arrival of 11,000 Australian tourists to the Maldives by the end of the year. Rameez highlighted that achieving this target would lead to a substantial increase in airport and government tax revenues, while also boosting the income of local businesses and individuals.

Australia remains a vital market for the Maldivian tourism sector, particularly during the surfing season which spans from May to September. Statistics show that nearly 39,500 Australian tourists visited the Maldives last year. Due to the long-haul nature of their travel, Australian visitors typically stay longer and spend more at resorts and guesthouses compared to the average tourist.