Air Connectivity Established Across Maldives’ Four Southernmost Atolls

Air connectivity has been established across the Maldives’ four southernmost atolls, with facilities now in place to accommodate small aircraft operations linking Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Fuvahmulah City and Addu City.

National airline Maldivian will begin operating flights between the four atolls from tomorrow, following the launch of the southern connectivity project at a ceremony held at Addu City Airport on Friday evening. The event was attended by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, other cabinet ministers and senior government officials.

During the ceremony, the operating permit for the southern connectivity service was handed over to Maldivian and received by Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services. The launch follows the completion of arrangements allowing Maldivian’s smaller aircraft to operate from land-based runways in the southern atolls.

The new service will operate daily and is expected to significantly improve travel convenience for residents, while strengthening people-to-people links and supporting social and economic development in the region. The operations are also anticipated to contribute to increased tourism activity in the southern atolls.

Maldivian has opened bookings for the flights, with fares set at MVR 500 one-way between Gan and Fuvahmulah, MVR 900 one-way between Gan and Kadedhdhoo and Gan and Kooddoo, and MVR 650 one-way between Fuvahmulah and both Kadedhdhoo and Kooddoo. The services will be operated using DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft, each with a capacity of around 15 passengers.

The southern connectivity initiative follows the government’s broader efforts to enhance domestic air transport, including plans to develop island airstrips capable of accommodating small aircraft rather than expanding full-scale airports. The project aligns with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision to convert infrastructure development into tangible benefits for communities, particularly in the southern region.

Government officials have stated that improved air access will significantly reduce travel times between the atolls, cutting journeys that previously took several hours to 20 minutes under favourable weather conditions. The service is also expected to address challenges faced by the tourism sector in the south by improving accessibility and supporting growth in visitor numbers and bed nights.

The government has identified Gan International Airport as a key hub for southern air connectivity and has indicated that efforts are under way to attract international airlines, including carriers from the Middle East and China, to operate flights to Gan. Authorities have stated that concessions may be offered to encourage airline operations and maximise the airport’s capacity.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, the introduction of seaplane and small aircraft services is part of a wider plan to establish an integrated civil transport system that benefits the public, boosts the regional economy and strengthens local tourism. The enhanced connectivity is expected to improve access to approximately 3,900 tourist beds across the southern atolls.

Future expansions of the network are also planned, including the potential inclusion of Faresmathoda Airport and Maavarulu Airport in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. If demand increases, the government has indicated that additional aircraft and higher flight frequencies will be introduced to further strengthen air connectivity in the south.