Firaq says Maldivian’s new Twin Otter network marks major progress for the southern region

The Twin Otter operation launched by the national airline, Maldivian, using Gan International Airport as a hub, marks a major step forward for connectivity in the southern region, Inner Maldives CEO Mohamed Firaq said on Friday.

Speaking about the newly inaugurated flights, Firaq said that although the operation is costly, it represents an important investment in strengthening tourism, trade, and healthcare access across the southern atolls.

He noted that SriLankan Airlines, currently the only carrier with code‑share partnerships with major international airlines, has been operating flights between Colombo and Gan for the past nine years. However, he said the route had long lacked a supporting domestic network.

“As a GSA, we have been working to establish and strengthen such relationships for many years. I see this progress as the beginning of that long hard work becoming a reality,” he said.

Firaq added that with the support of the current administration, the new network is expected to boost tourism in the region. He expressed hope that the service would continue to expand and develop in the coming years.

Moving across the south, made easier ✈️#Maldivianaero pic.twitter.com/tvOehJeyjh

— MaldivianAero (@MaldivianAero) January 28, 2026

Addressing the challenges of attracting more international airlines to Gan, Firaq said the biggest obstacles remain low passenger numbers and the high cost of long‑distance operations. At present, he said, international connectivity can only be sustained between Sri Lanka and India. However, he believes that as tourist bed capacity grows in the south and transport links improve, more airlines will show interest in operating to Gan.

He also noted that three successive governments have provided significant support to the sector over the past decade, which has been crucial in maintaining and expanding operations.

The launch of the new service follows President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s recent remarks that the government is exploring ways to land small aircraft in rural areas without the need to build full airports.

Fares for the initial flights are as follows:  

• Gan – Fuvahmulah: MVR 500 per person  

• Gan – Kaadedhdhoo: MVR 900 per person  

• Gan – Kooddoo: MVR 900 per person  

• Fuvahmulah – Kaadedhdhoo: MVR 650 per person  

• Fuvahmulah – Kooddoo: MVR 650 per person