Private jet arrivals to the Maldives have surged significantly, according to Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, the minister highlighted strong growth in the high-end tourism segment, noting a marked increase in private jet traffic to the country.
He revealed that 84 private jets arrived in March 2025, compared to 189 in March 2026 — representing a 125 percent increase. April figures also show an upward trend, with arrivals rising from 64 in 2025 to 93 so far this year, an increase of 45.3 percent.
Despite ongoing global uncertainties, the minister said the Maldives’ tourism sector continues to demonstrate resilience. Average daily tourist arrivals stood at 7,085 last year, compared to 6,855 this year — a slight decline of 3.2 percent.
However, recent data indicates a rebound, with tourist arrivals increasing by 2.2 percent over the past week, totaling 35,653 visitors. The minister described this as a strong recovery following disruptions to airline operations caused by global conditions.
He noted that between 18 and 19 flights had previously been cancelled, but government efforts have helped restore services by major carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways. Operations by Flydubai and Air Arabia have also resumed.
In addition, airlines such as Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines have increased flight frequencies, while Belavia and Flynas have expanded their operations.
The minister also pointed to a notable shift in source markets, with Australia now ranking among the Maldives’ top 10. He attributed this in part to the launch of direct flights by Maldivian, as well as continued efforts to sustain and grow the tourism sector amid global challenges.
