Tuesday 24 Mar 2026
Maldives Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia sign MoU to commence direct flights between the two countries.
The Maldives and Australia have officially entered into a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to liberalize aviation services between the two nations. This agreement, signed by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia, removes long-standing regulatory barriers, enabling direct commercial flight operations. By eliminating the necessity for transit through major hubs like Singapore, Colombo, or the Middle East, the agreement significantly reduces travel duration to approximately 11 hours. This shift is expected to bolster tourism, trade, and logistics, with the national carrier, Maldivian, set to inaugurate direct weekly scheduled charter flights between Male and Melbourne on May 17, 2026.
In a significant move to bolster aviation ties between the Maldives and Australia, a landmark MoU was signed on Thursday between the civil aviation authorities of both nations.
According to Transport Minister Mohamed, the agreement between the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Australia effectively removes all existing restrictions for airlines operating between the two countries, opening new opportunities for travel, tourism and trade.
The Aeronautical Authorities of Australia and the Maldives have signed an MoU to advance a Bilateral Air Services Agreement between our two countries.
— Mohamed Ameen (@ameen3d) March 19, 2026
Effective today, there are no restrictions for airlines to operate between Australia and the Maldives—opening new opportunities… pic.twitter.com/RHFyMRP3Ir
The signing of this accord marks the end of previous legal and other obstructions that hindered direct air connectivity between the two countries. This development paves the way for airlines from both nations to operate direct flights.
Minister Ameen highlighted that this agreement will unlock new opportunities for the Maldivian tourism and trade sectors.
Australia remains a vital source market for Maldivian tourism. Statistics from the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) reveal that over 42,000 Australian tourists visited the Maldives last year alone. The Australian market is particularly valued for its high economic contribution, as travelers from the region typically enjoy extended stays.
Historically, travelers from Australia have had to transit through hubs such as Singapore, Colombo, or various Middle Eastern countries to reach the Maldives. These long-haul journeys often involve significant travel time. With the removal of these restrictions and the commencement of direct flights, travel time is expected to be reduced to approximately 11 hours. This significant improvement offers immense convenience for Australian tourists and is also expected to facilitate more efficient cargo transport and bilateral trade.
One of the most notable outcomes of this agreement is the preparation by the national carrier, Maldivian, to launch direct operations to Australia. In partnership with the prominent Australian travel company "Luxury Escapes," Maldivian is scheduled to commence direct flights between Male' and Melbourne on May 17th. The airline will initially operate once a week as a scheduled chartered flight.
The nationalwill utilize its newly acquired Airbus A330-200 aircraft for this route. As the first direct commercial connection between the Maldives and Australia, this initiative represents a historic milestone for the national airline, significantly expanding its international footprint.
