Over 1,800 passengers have travelled with the national airline, Maldivian, under the Southern Connectivity Project to date.
As the Maldives is a popular tourist destination, Maldivian’s flights are typically organised in line with international flight schedules. All flights are scheduled according to the timeline of Velana International Airport (VIA), which has long raised concerns among residents.
From a business perspective, however, the lack of demand for flights to other areas has been a significant challenge in launching such services. Domestic airports have sought to expand services and improve connectivity, but this has proven difficult. There has nevertheless been considerable demand for increased flights to the southern atolls.
The Southern Connectivity Initiative was launched to address this issue, supporting both development and the tourism sector. Air links have now been established between Addu City (Seenu Atoll), Fuvahmulah City (Gnaviyani Atoll), Kooddoo (Gaafu Alifu Atoll), and Kaadedhdhoo (Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll).
Speaking to PSM News, Maldivian stated that since the project’s launch on 1 February, over 296 flights have been operated, carrying a total of 1,857 passengers. The airline further noted that the initiative currently includes nine weekly flights to Fuvahmulah City, six to Kaadedhdhoo, and three to Kooddoo. Travellers can now move more easily between atolls within the southern region.
This initiative also represents an important step towards increasing bed capacity in Addu City to meet the requirements for direct international flights. The government believes it will also contribute to improvements in healthcare across these atolls, reducing the need for patients to travel to Malé for treatment.
Key measures will be implemented across these four atolls, both at individual and atoll levels, to ensure the full benefits of this transformation in the transport system are realised.