Private Jet Arrivals in Maldives More Than Double Amid Middle East War

The number of private jets arriving in the Maldives has more than doubled over the past two weeks, tourism officials say, amid flight cancellations and ongoing war in the Middle East.

Data from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) shows that 128 private jets landed in the country between 28 February and 14 March, marking a 166 percent increase compared to 70 arrivals during the same period last year.

The figures indicate a marked shift in daily traffic patterns. Last year, the Maldives received an average of five private jets per day, with a peak of nine in a single day. This year, the daily average has risen to more than twelve, reaching a high of eighteen jets on 3 March.

Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) confirmed that the surge is a direct result of disruptions in the Middle East, a major global transit hub. With many commercial flights to the Maldives from the region cancelled, wealthy tourists have increasingly relied on private travel to reach the islands.

Despite the geopolitical tensions, tourism associations emphasise that global demand for travel to the Maldives remains strong. The increase in private jet arrivals highlights the archipelago’s enduring appeal as a premium destination and a safe haven for international travellers.