Maldives is negotiating two additional air service agreements as the government seeks to expand international connectivity and attract tourists from new markets, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has said.

Speaking to PSM, Ameen said expanding air links is a key part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the tourism industry and make greater use of the traffic rights already available to the Maldives under existing agreements.

The minister said the government is working to overcome factors that have previously limited the use of those rights and is seeking to translate existing opportunities into additional flight routes and tourist markets.

He said negotiations for two further air service agreements are currently underway. While such agreements require extensive discussions and can take time to conclude, Ameen said progress has been encouraging and that outcomes are expected in the near future.

Air service agreements establish the legal framework for commercial aviation between countries, including which airlines can operate routes, the markets they can serve and the capacity they can offer.

For the Maldives, expanding these arrangements is particularly significant because the country’s tourism industry depends heavily on international air access.

New agreements can allow airlines to introduce direct services from emerging and established source markets, potentially increasing visitor numbers.

The government has recently expanded its aviation network through agreements with several countries.

Maldives signed an air service agreement with Ethiopia, its sixth such agreement with an African country, creating a framework for direct services between Addis Ababa and the Maldives.

The country has also finalized an agreement with Australia, under which national carrier Maldivian has commenced direct flights to Australia.

The government is now seeking to build on these developments by securing additional air links and making the Maldives more accessible to travelers from a wider range of international markets.