Several international airlines have announced plans to operate additional flights to the Maldives as travellers seek alternative transit routes amid disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Commercial airlines have increased flight frequencies to the Maldives in response to rising demand for direct travel options. Swiss airline Edelweiss Air has decided to increase flights between Zurich and Malé from four to five per week during April and May, citing increased demand from tourists wishing to travel directly to the Maldives.

Air India has also announced plans to operate an additional 78 flights to nine destinations, including the Maldives. The airline said the flights will be operated using Airbus A320neo aircraft, adding around 17,600 seats to its network. Air India noted that the additional flights will operate on routes that avoid airspaces affected by the conflict to ensure more reliable travel options for both tourists and business travellers.

Russian carrier Aeroflot has also expanded its flight operations, increasing services to destinations including Moscow, Malé, Bangkok, Phuket and Colombo. The airline said the move was made in response to rising tourist demand and flight disruptions linked to the Middle East situation.

In addition to scheduled airline services, the number of private jets arriving in the Maldives has also increased. Statistics from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) show that 128 private jets landed in the Maldives between 28 February and 14 March, representing a 166 per cent increase compared to the 70 jets recorded during the same period last year.

While Velana International Airport remains the main entry point for private aviation, Maafaru International Airport has also become a key hub for private jets. During the peak tourism season, more than 25 private jets were parked simultaneously at the airport’s apron, which has the capacity to handle around 800 flight movements per year following recent expansion.

Industry observers note that despite disruptions in some global transit routes, the Maldives continues to attract strong demand due to its direct flight connections, expanding aviation infrastructure and reputation as a leading luxury tourism destination.