Maldivian’s first direct flight from Melbourne has arrived at Velana International Airport, completing the inaugural round of a historic air link between Australia and the Maldives.
The arrival of the aircraft in Malé marked the first-ever direct flight from Australia to the Maldives, following the national carrier’s earlier departure from Malé and landing in Melbourne. The new service creates a stopover-free connection between the two countries, reducing the need for Australian travellers to transit through regional hubs before reaching the Maldives.
The inaugural service was operated by Maldivian’s Airbus A330 and carried 230 passengers to the Maldives, according to the airline. The arrival was marked with a ceremonial water salute at Velana International Airport, along with a welcome programme for passengers that included commemorative gifts and cultural elements reflecting Maldivian hospitality.
The event was attended by Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Captain Mohamed Ameen, Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Non-Resident High Commissioner of the Maldives to Australia Mohamed Luveiz, and Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives David Jessup, alongside senior officials and industry stakeholders.
Maldivian said the launch was carried out in partnership with Luxury Escapes Australia, marking the first direct air link between Melbourne and Malé. The route is expected to improve access for Australian travellers, while creating a more convenient long-haul connection to the Maldives.
Australia has remained among the Maldives’ top 10 tourism source markets, with around 40,000 arrivals annually. Maldivian said direct connectivity is forecast to increase arrivals from the Australian market by more than 20 percent, adding further importance to the route for the tourism sector.
The airline also said the service was made possible through collaboration with several public and industry partners, including the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Visit Maldives Corporation, Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, Maldives Airports Company Limited, resort partners and other stakeholders in the aviation and tourism sectors.
In support of the new route, Maldivian and Visit Maldives Corporation are carrying out a dedicated destination marketing campaign in Australia. The campaign is aimed at increasing awareness of the Maldives, strengthening its presence in the Australian market, and promoting the country as a travel destination through coordinated promotional activities and partnerships.
The weekly service is operated using Maldivian’s Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, which is configured with 18 fully lie-flat business class seats and 246 economy seats. The route, branded as the Maldivian Luxury Escapes Express, is being offered in partnership with Luxury Escapes.
For Maldivian, the successful arrival from Melbourne represents another step in the airline’s wider international expansion using wide-body aircraft. For the tourism sector, the service opens a more direct pathway from a long-haul market where ease of travel can influence destination choice.
Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen earlier said the direct route would support the Maldives’ tourism and business sectors, particularly as the country works to explore additional markets amid disruptions affecting global travel networks.
