Male’ Maldives, 20th December 2023 – Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Maldivian have unveiled an early holiday surprise for travelers by announcing a significant bilateral interline collaboration. This partnership grants access to 16 stunning vacation spots in the Maldives, extending beyond the primary Malé island.
The newly forged agreement between Etihad and Maldivian, the national carrier of the Maldives, enables passengers to seamlessly traverse the Indian Ocean archipelago, leveraging the combined services and routes of both airlines through a single ticket.
Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue Officer, remarked, “This interline collaboration will elevate the overall customer experience throughout the entire journey. Guests heading to the Maldives will enjoy the privilege of arriving at their popular holiday destinations with greater ease. Facilitated by smooth connections from Malé, Etihad customers can easily transition to Maldivian’s services, reaching a wide range of domestic destinations to commence their idyllic island retreat.”
Ibrahim Hamdhan Mohamed, Maldivian’s General Manager Commercial, stated, “In an endeavor to expand Maldivian’s global reach, this interline partnership with Etihad Airways will create exciting opportunities for our valued customers to seamlessly connect and travel within our robust and expanding route network of destinations across the Maldives.”
Through this collaboration, Etihad passengers gain access to Maldivian’s network, encompassing numerous sought-after islands via Velana International Airport in Malé, including Dharavandhoo Island, Faresmathoda Airport, Funadhoo Airport, Fuvahmulak Island Airport, Gan Island Airport, Kooddoo Island, Hanimaadhoo Island Airport, Kulhudhuffushi Airport, Hoarafushi Airport, Kaadedhdhoo Island Airport, Kadhdhoo Island, Madivaru Airport, Maafaru International Airport, Maavarulu Airport, Thimarafushi Airport, and Ifuru.
Starting January 1, 2024, Etihad plans to increase its flights to Malé from 10 to 14 per week to better synchronize with the Maldivian network.
Furthermore, this collaboration facilitates a seamless combination of an idyllic break in the Maldives with an enticing stopover experience in Abu Dhabi, allowing travelers to relish the renowned hospitality and remarkable attractions of the UAE’s capital city.
The partnership with Maldivian represents the latest addition to Etihad’s expanding network of airline alliances worldwide, aiming to provide guests with enhanced connectivity and convenience.
