National airline Maldivian will operate 1,227 domestic flights during the Eid al-Adha holiday period as travel demand across the country increases ahead of the festive season, Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef has said.

Responding to a question regarding ticket availability during the Eid holidays during the Presser with the Spox press briefing, the spokesperson said flights have been scheduled between May 17 and June 2 to accommodate increased passenger movement across the atolls.

According to the Government, this year’s Eid operations represent an increase compared to the same period last year. A total of 1,014 scheduled flights and 214 additional flights have been arranged during the holiday period, with domestic air travel expected to reach one of its busiest periods of the year.

The spokesperson noted that Maldivian has increased flight frequency by around 20 per cent compared to regular months. Authorities estimate that approximately 64,000 passengers will travel on Maldivian flights during the Eid holidays, while overall passenger numbers are expected to rise further with additional services operated by other airlines.