Male’, Maldives -19th April 2026 – The Maldives continues to reinforce its reputation as a premier destination for ultra-luxury travel, with private jet arrivals recording a remarkable upswing, according to Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen.
Speaking at a recent press briefing held at the President’s Office, the Minister highlighted a notable surge in high-end travel activity, particularly within the private aviation segment. He revealed that the number of private jets arriving in the Maldives has seen a substantial year-on-year increase, reflecting growing demand among premium travellers.
In March 2025, the country welcomed 84 private jets. This figure rose sharply to 189 in March 2026, marking an impressive 125 percent increase. A similar upward trend was observed in April, with arrivals rising from 64 jets in 2025 to 93 jets so far in 2026, representing a 45.3 percent growth. The Minister noted that despite ongoing fluctuations in global conditions, the Maldives tourism industry continues to demonstrate strong resilience and steady progress.
While average daily tourist arrivals slightly declined from 7,085 last year to 6,855 this year—a marginal decrease of 3.2 percent—recent figures indicate a renewed upward trajectory. Over the past week alone, the country recorded 35,653 arrivals, reflecting a 2.2 percent increase and signalling a positive recovery momentum.
Minister Ameen also acknowledged temporary disruptions in air connectivity, including the cancellation of 18 to 19 flights due to global operational challenges. However, he emphasised that coordinated efforts with international carriers have successfully restored and expanded air services. Major airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways have resumed operations, while Flydubai and Air Arabia have also returned to the Maldivian route network. Additionally, Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines have increased flight frequencies, further strengthening connectivity. Airlines including Belavia and Flynas have similarly expanded their schedules.
Another significant development in the tourism landscape is the entry of Australia into the Maldives’ top ten source markets. This milestone has been attributed in part to the introduction of direct flights by Maldivian, alongside sustained efforts to diversify and strengthen the country’s global tourism reach.
As the Maldives navigates an evolving global travel environment, these developments underscore its continued appeal among luxury travellers and its strategic progress in maintaining a dynamic and resilient tourism sector.
