Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has received Australian regulatory approval to commence operations, clearing the way for the first ever direct flights between Australia and the Maldives, available exclusively through Luxury Escapes.
The weekly scheduled service between Melbourne and Malé takes off from May 18, 2026.
Adam Schwab, Luxury Escapes Co-Founder and CEO, said the demand had already been extraordinary.
“This will be a landmark moment for Australian travellers. The demand we have already seen has been incredibly strong, with several flights totally sold out and school holidays about to hit capacity. With Middle East airlines still ramping back and Asian carriers significantly increasing prices, travellers are amazingly able to get to the Maldives for less than almost any other medium haul destination,” Mr Schwab said.
Ibrahim Iyas, Maldivian Managing Director, said the approval marked a historic milestone for the airline.
“Australia is an important and untapped market for us, and we are proud to introduce a direct service, in partnership with Luxury Escapes, that strengthens connectivity between Melbourne and Malé. Together, we’re redefining how Australians travel to the Maldives,” Mr Iyas said.
For more information visit luxuryescapes.com.
