State company
Island Aviation Services
In the news, last 90 days
Tourism
Maldivian bolsters luxury tourism with new King Air 360 aircraft
Maldivian, the national airline, has acquired a King Air 360 aircraft to provide luxury transport for tourists travelling to Maldivian resorts, through a partnership with Nilaa Coral Island Resort. The aircraft has a pressurized cabin, can operate night flights, and will be used for resort guest transfers as well as charter flights to other destinations across the country.
Tourism
Oceania tourist arrivals rise 20% following launch of direct flights
Tourist arrivals from Oceania to the Maldives rose 20 per cent to 40,481 in the first nine months of 2026, coinciding with Maldivian's direct Malé–Melbourne service that began in May 2026. Australia accounted for 37,346 of the arrivals, up 20.4 per cent year on year, with September recording the region's highest monthly arrivals so far this year at 5,715.
Infrastructure
Maldivian flight with pilgrims abruptly postponed
A Maldivian flight carrying 250 Umrah pilgrims under the Maldives Hajj Corporation was abruptly postponed, with Island Aviation citing safety and security concerns after a regional escalation involving Saudi Arabia and restrictions on using Jeddah's airspace. Island Aviation and the Hajj Corporation apologised to travellers and said they are jointly assisting affected passengers.
Tourism
Maldives steps up China tourism drive with Beijing roadshow
A tourism roadshow organised by national airline Maldivian together with Visit Maldives and its China General Sales Agent MegaCap was held in Beijing, bringing together over 100 Chinese travel agents and tour operators alongside the opening of Maldivian's new Beijing office. China remains the Maldives' largest tourist source market, with more than 300,000 Chinese visitors recorded so far this year.
International
Maldivian postpones Umrah flight to Saudi Arabia amid escalating Middle East security threats
Maldivian, operated by Island Aviation Services Limited (IAS), postponed its scheduled Umrah flight from Malé to Jeddah set for 29 October 2026 due to a significant deterioration in Middle East security. IAS and the Maldives Hajj Corporation jointly decided to reschedule, and no new departure date has been confirmed.
International
Maldivian flight to Jeddah cancelled for security reasons
Maldivian cancelled its flight scheduled to take Umrah pilgrims to Jeddah on October 29 due to security concerns arising from the war in the Middle East. Maldivian and the Maldives Hajj Corporation apologized, with the Hajj Corporation assuring affected ticket holders would be placed on a future flight at no extra cost once the situation stabilizes.
Economy
Maldivian Opens New Office in China to Expand Operations
Maldivian, the Maldives' national airline, opened a new office in Beijing, inaugurated by Island Aviation Services Limited executives alongside the Maldives Ambassador to China. The airline currently flies to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu using Airbus A330-200 aircraft, and China accounted for 327,531 tourist arrivals, or 19 per cent of total arrivals, so far this year.
Infrastructure
Police launch investigation into Funadhoo petrol shed fire
A major fire at the privately operated Fathmini Petrol Shed in Sh. Funadhoo spread to neighbouring buildings, leaving 20 people requiring medical attention and 11 residents temporarily displaced. The Maldives Police Service dispatched a specialised investigation team to determine the cause, while NDMA arranged temporary shelter for the displaced.
Infrastructure
Major fire at Funadhoo petrol shed spreads to homes and garages, residents evacuated
A major fire broke out at the privately operated "Faiymini" Petrol Shed in Sh. Funadhoo on Sunday morning, spreading to nearby homes and garages and prompting evacuations of neighbouring residents. NDMA confirmed four houses and five garages were affected, while airport firefighting vehicles were deployed, reportedly disrupting flight operations at Funadhoo Airport.
Infrastructure
IASL Invites EOIs for Design and Development of Maldivian Website and Mobile App
Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL), operator of the national airline Maldivian, has invited expressions of interest through two notices published on 22 October 2026 for the design and development of an official mobile application and a new company website. EOI forms must be submitted via email to IASL's procurement department no later than 14:00 hrs on 27 October 2026.
International
Maldivian to launch direct flights between Malé and Karachi, President Muizzu announces
Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced plans for the national airline Maldivian to launch direct flights between Malé and Karachi while addressing the Maldives Business Forum in Islamabad during a State Visit to Pakistan. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he had instructed relevant authorities to accelerate transport links with the Maldives, as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations established on 26 July 1966.
Economy · Official
President invites Pakistani businesses to partner in the economic transformation of the Maldives
Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu addressed the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum 2026 in Islamabad, inviting Pakistani businesses to invest in logistics, healthcare, construction, renewable energy and Shariah-compliant finance. He noted that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif committed to raising bilateral trade to US$200 million over two years, and announced that national airline Maldivian aims to launch direct Malé–Karachi flights.
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