Maldives Private Jet Arrivals Surge 125% Amid Tourism Recovery

Private jet arrivals to the Maldives have surged significantly, reflecting a strong recovery in the high-end tourism sector. Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen revealed that 189 private jets arrived in March 2026, up from 84 in March 2025 — an increase of 125 percent. April figures also showed growth, with 93 jets arriving compared to 64 the previous year, marking a 45.3 percent increase. "Although the global situation continues to change rapidly, the Maldives tourism sector has achieved notable progress," the minister said during a press conference at the President’s Office. The growth in private jet arrivals contrasts with overall tourist numbers, which have seen a modest decline. The country received an average of 7,085 tourists per day last year, compared to 6,855 this year — a decrease of 3.2 percent. However, the past week has shown promising signs of recovery, with arrivals increasing by 2.2 percent to a total of 35,653 visitors. The minister attributed this recovery to government efforts to restore airline connectivity. Eighteen to 19 flights had previously been cancelled due to global conditions, but services by Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways have resumed. Flydubai and Air Arabia have also restarted operations, while Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines have increased their flight frequencies. Belavia and Flynas have expanded their operations to the Maldives. Another significant development is Australia’s entry into the Maldives’ top 10 source markets. The minister noted that Maldivian’s launch of flights to Australia has played a crucial role in this achievement, reflecting broader efforts to sustain and grow the tourism sector despite ongoing global challenges.