Low Passenger Volume Hinders Efforts to Reduce Maldives Domestic Airfares

Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has identified insufficient passenger demand as the primary obstacle to lowering domestic flight prices across the Maldives. Speaking in the Majlis (the Maldivian Parliament), the Minister explained that the current volume of travelers is too low to achieve the economies of scale necessary to reduce ticket costs. Responding to an inquiry from Mauroof Zakir, the Member of Parliament for Kendhoo, Minister Ameen clarified that domestic ticket prices are currently aligned with actual operating costs. He emphasized that the national airline cannot arbitrarily lower fares without a significant increase in passengers to distribute the high overhead of flight operations. The Minister further noted that while global aviation costs have surged—with international fares rising by 30 to 40 percent due to Middle East conflicts and escalating fuel prices—domestic prices have remained stable. According to Minister Ameen, this stability is a direct result of a government policy led by the President to shield citizens from the volatility of the global aviation market. Addressing the technical side of operations, the Minister highlighted the use of ATR aircraft on domestic routes. While these aircraft are more expensive to operate, he defended their use by citing their international safety credentials and proven reliability in the unique geographical context of the Maldives. The government maintains that holding the line on prices is a strategic decision to minimize public inconvenience, even as the airline navigates the thin margins associated with low-demand routes and rising global operational costs.