Government Eyes Secondary Airline Hub to Strengthen Maldives Aviation Strategy

The government has announced plans to develop a secondary airline hub in the Maldives as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the aviation sector and improve resilience amid ongoing global disruptions affecting air travel.

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen said the initiative aims to position a Maldivian airport as a hub for a major international airline, signalling a shift towards a more diversified aviation model. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the President’s Office on Sunday by a ministerial committee formed in response to the evolving global situation.

Ameen noted that recent global disruptions have impacted airline operations, particularly carriers dependent on specific routes, underscoring the need for the Maldives to reduce reliance on a single gateway and expand its aviation infrastructure.

“Opportunities exist in both the northern and southern regions of the Maldives. We are working towards establishing a secondary hub for a major airline as part of our long-term strategy,” he said.

The proposed development is expected to enhance connectivity across the country while supporting tourism growth by distributing international arrivals beyond the primary gateway at Velana International Airport. The move also aligns with efforts to improve operational flexibility for airlines and mitigate risks linked to external shocks affecting global travel corridors.

In parallel, the government is working to expand access for low-cost carriers, which Ameen said require specific operational frameworks similar to those found in established international hubs. He added that plans are underway to develop the necessary infrastructure and regulatory environment to attract such airlines.

The focus on low-cost carriers reflects a broader effort to diversify the tourism market and cater to evolving traveller segments, particularly as demand patterns shift and competition among destinations intensifies.

The minister said the combined measures form part of a long-term strategy to expand and strengthen the Maldives’ aviation sector, positioning the country to better withstand external disruptions while supporting sustained growth in tourist arrivals.