Seventeen Flights to Maldives Cancelled Amid Middle East Conflict

Seventeen additional flights scheduled to arrive in the Maldives from Middle Eastern countries have been cancelled as escalating conflict in the region continues to disrupt international air travel.

The cancellations follow days of attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have led to the temporary closure of airspace across several Middle Eastern countries. Major airlines operating through the region have halted or rerouted services as a result.

According to the flight schedule at Velana International Airport, 17 flights due to arrive on Monday were cancelled. The affected airlines include Gulf Air, Air Arabia, Flydubai, Qatar Airways and Emirates.

The Maldives Airports Company Ltd stated that 19 flights were cancelled on Sunday, affecting 3,530 passengers. Additional cancellations on Saturday led to heavy congestion at the airport. The company arranged temporary accommodation for stranded passengers inside the former domestic terminal and provided essential items to 130 passengers who remained at the airport on Saturday night.

Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim stated that approximately 35 per cent of daily tourist arrivals to the Maldives originate from the Middle East, making the disruption particularly significant for the tourism sector.

The conflict has continued to intensify, with Israel and the United States carrying out strikes on Iran, and Iran launching retaliatory attacks on United States military bases in the region.