Maldivian to commence direct flights to Australia

The national airline, Maldivian, is set to commence direct flights between Maldives and Australia.

This would mark the first-ever direct connection between Maldives and Australia.

According to Maldivian, the airline will begin operating scheduled direct flights between Velana International Airport and Melbourne starting May 17, 2026. However, fare prices for the flights have not yet been announced.

While many Australian tourists holiday in the Maldives, Maldivian said the arrival times of these flights will be coordinated with onward seaplane and domestic connections, allowing passengers to reach resorts and islands across the country more conveniently.

History takes flight as Maldivian connects the Maldives to Australia for the first time, with first-ever direct Melbourne–Malé flights in partnership with Luxury Escapes. ✈️????????#Maldivianaero #Maldives pic.twitter.com/2m9FPzaoK4

— MaldivianAero (@MaldivianAero) December 19, 2025

Maldivian has partnered with Luxury Escapes for its operations in Australia, a company responsible for bringing in 20 percent of the Australian tourists visiting the Maldives.

At present, Maldivian’s international operations are limited to India and China.

Although the national airline made efforts to launch services to European destinations, including acquiring an A330 aircraft for the purpose, it has been unable to expand its international operations beyond these two destinations.

While Maldives has recorded 1.2 million tourist arrivals so far this year, 40,000 of them are from Australia.