The Maldives is reinforcing its position as a global tourism hub as a rise in private jet arrivals and expanded airline services help offset aviation disruptions linked to unrest in the Middle East.
Recent figures released by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) show a significant increase in private aviation traffic. Between 28 February and 14 March, a total of 128 private jets arrived in the Maldives, representing a 166 percent increase compared to the same period last year when 70 aircraft landed.
The data points to a noticeable change in travel behaviour among high-end travellers seeking direct access to the island destination.
Private jet arrivals more than double
The rise in private aviation reflects a growing preference among travellers as they adjust to flight cancellations and delays affecting major transit routes across the Middle East.
During the same period last year, the Maldives recorded an average of five private jet arrivals per day, with a peak of nine aircraft in a single day. This year, the daily average has increased to more than twelve arrivals, with a record eighteen jets landing on 3 March.
The figures highlight the Maldives’ ability to accommodate premium travel demand even during periods of uncertainty in global aviation.
Maafaru airport emerges as private aviation hub
Velana International Airport continues to serve as the country’s main international gateway. Meanwhile, Maafaru International Airport has developed into a specialised hub for private aviation.
At the height of the recent tourism season, more than 25 private jets were parked simultaneously on the apron at Maafaru, marking the highest level of traffic recorded at the facility.
Infrastructure expansion has played an important role in managing the increase in ultra-luxury travel. According to airport management, the development raised parking capacity to around 800 aircraft movements annually. In previous seasons, the airport had to decline between 50 and 80 aircraft due to limited apron space.
In 2025, Maafaru handled 804 private jet movements, reflecting a 38 percent rise from 579 movements recorded the previous year. December alone saw 102 movements, averaging more than three aircraft per day. Strong demand during the December to January peak season pushed the combined total for those two months above 200 movements.
Demand from the ultra-luxury segment has also remained strong during major holiday periods. Over the New Year season, at least eight superyachts anchored in Maldivian waters while dozens of private jets transported high-net-worth travellers to resorts across the archipelago.
Airlines expand services to Maldives
Commercial airlines are also responding to shifting travel patterns by increasing flights to the Maldives as travellers look for alternatives to traditional Middle Eastern transit routes.
Edelweiss Air plans to expand its Zurich–Malé service during April and May 2026. From 3 April to 8 May, the airline will increase operations from three to four weekly flights. Between 12 April and 27 April, frequencies will rise further to five flights per week.
Air India has also announced a temporary increase in international services to address disruptions affecting global travel. The airline intends to operate 78 additional flights between 10 and 18 March across nine routes linking Delhi and Mumbai with destinations including Malé, Colombo and several major European and American hubs.
The carrier is deploying the Airbus A320neo on expanded India–Maldives services, adding approximately 17,660 seats across its revised network. These additional flights operate on alternative routes that bypass affected airspace in West Asia, helping maintain reliable travel options for both tourists and business travellers.
Aeroflot is also increasing flights between Moscow and several tourism destinations, including Malé, Bangkok, Phuket and Colombo. The airline stated that the move responds to rising tourist demand and offers travel alternatives for passengers whose flights with foreign carriers were cancelled due to instability in the Middle East.
Destination resilience strengthens tourism outlook
The Maldives’ diversified air connectivity and dedicated infrastructure for private aviation allow the destination to remain accessible even as global travel patterns change.
With commercial flight expansions and a rise in private aviation activity, the country continues to demonstrate resilience as a premium tourism destination, sustaining access for both luxury and mainstream travellers despite ongoing aviation disruptions in key transit regions.
