Male’, Maldives -11th April 2026 – The Maldives is set to benefit from a welcome boost in international air access as Turkish Airlines expands its services between Istanbul and Malé for the 2026 summer period, further strengthening a key long-haul route linking the destination with Europe and beyond.
Beginning 13 May through 20 October 2026, an additional weekly rotation will be introduced on the Istanbul–Malé sector (TK 740), with the return service from Malé to Istanbul (TK 741) operating from 14 May until 21 October 2026. The added frequency will run as a mid-week operation, departing Istanbul every Wednesday and returning from Malé every Thursday, giving passengers more flexibility when planning their journeys.
According to the revised schedule, TK 740 will leave Istanbul at 20:20 and arrive in Malé at 06:30 the following morning. The return flight, TK 741, will depart Malé at 08:00 and reach Istanbul at 14:20, ensuring efficient onward connections through Istanbul’s extensive global network of destinations.
With this enhancement, Turkish Airlines will operate six weekly flights between Istanbul and the Maldives, further solidifying one of the most important aviation links between the Indian Ocean region and international markets. As a major global transit hub, Istanbul continues to provide seamless connectivity to Europe, North America, and other regions, making travel to the Maldives more accessible from a wide range of source markets.
The increased frequency is expected to improve travel convenience for both holidaymakers and business travellers, while also supporting steady growth in visitor arrivals. At a time when international travel demand continues to evolve, the additional service offers greater routing options and improved resilience across long-haul networks.
For the Maldives, enhanced air connectivity remains a key driver of tourism performance and market diversification. The expanded schedule by Turkish Airlines is likely to contribute to stronger inbound flows, particularly from European markets, while supporting the destination’s long-term tourism growth strategy.
Overall, the development underscores continued confidence in the Maldives as a highly sought-after destination and highlights the importance of reliable, well-connected air links in sustaining its tourism industry throughout the 2026 summer season.
