The Maldives is set to see an increase in international flight frequencies as major airlines expand their operations to the island nation in the coming months.

Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, announced that several leading airlines currently serving the Maldives have decided to increase their number of weekly flights later this year.

The move comes as part of broader efforts to address challenges faced by the tourism sector amid recent tensions in the Middle East and Gulf region.

Speaking at a press conference, Ameen said the government is working closely with key stakeholders, including the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) and the Guesthouse Association of Maldives (GAM), alongside airline partners, to stabilize and strengthen tourist arrivals.

As part of these efforts, both Qatar Airways and Emirates are set to increase their flight frequencies to the Maldives by three additional flights per week starting in June.

In addition, British Airways is also preparing to expand its services to the destination.

Ameen expressed optimism about the sector’s recovery, noting that tourist arrivals are expected to rise as the industry moves out of its low season.

The increase in flight operations follows a period of disruption caused by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

These developments led to widespread flight cancellations affecting routes to the Maldives.

According to the Minister, more than 600 scheduled flights were cancelled within the first 45 days after the tensions escalated, resulting in a temporary dip in visitor numbers.

However, authorities have since observed a gradual recovery, with airlines resuming operations and tourist arrivals beginning to rebound.