The Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, has officially announced that it will commence flight operations to Australia starting next month. The new route will establish a direct link between Melbourne and Malé, marking a significant milestone in the carrier’s international expansion strategy.

While a specific start date has not yet been disclosed, the airline confirmed that the service is being launched in partnership with the Australian luxury travel company, Luxury Escapes. This collaboration is expected to bolster tourism and travel links between the two nations.

The expansion into the Australian market is facilitated by the airline’s recent acquisition of its first wide-body aircraft last year. Maldivian has indicated that efforts are underway to procure additional wide-body vessels to further support its long-haul service capabilities.

Beyond Australia, the national airline is actively seeking to broaden its global footprint. In September last year, the company began the process of appointing a sales agent in South Korea as part of its plan to launch flights to the region, alongside other potential international destinations.