Melbourne Airport has welcomed Maldivian as its 43rd international carrier, as the airline begins operating Australia’s first-ever direct flight service to the Maldives.

In a post shared on X, Melbourne Airport said the new weekly service allows travellers to fly directly between Melbourne and Malé without long stopovers or transit delays.

The airport described the route as Australia’s only direct flight connection to the Maldives and noted that the flights are currently being offered as exclusive flight and accommodation packages through Luxury Escapes.

Meanwhile, Maldivian also announced that its Airbus A330 aircraft had departed for Melbourne to begin the landmark service, describing it as a proud moment for the Maldives and a step toward expanding international connectivity.

The new route is expected to strengthen tourism links between the Maldives and Australia while making travel between the two destinations more convenient for travellers.