Maldives Updates for Middle East Flight Disruptions

If You're Currently in the Maldives

Visa extensions are available

Maldives Immigration has confirmed that tourist visas will be extended for visitors stranded due to the airspace disruptions. Submit your extension request through the Imuga online portal. You will not face overstay penalties.

What to Do

1. Contact your airline first: Your airline is responsible for rebooking you onto an alternative flight. Use the contact numbers above to reach their local office in Male.
2. Contact your resort or hotel: Your property can help coordinate with airlines, extend your stay, and arrange transport. If you're on a resort island, they will have the most up-to-date information on available flights.
3. Extend your visa if needed: Apply through imuga.immigration.gov.mv or contact Immigration at 1434.
4. Consider alternative routes: If your airline cannot rebook you soon, look at the alternative routes above.
5. Contact your travel insurance provider: Notify them of the disruption. Keep all receipts for accommodation, meals, and transport.

Accommodation in Malé and Hulhumalé

If you need accommodation near Velana International Airport while waiting for a rebooked flight, Hulhumale has the highest concentration of guesthouses and is connected to the airport by road. Budget guesthouses start from around USD 60++ per night.

Check for Repatriation Flights

The government of Maldives has facilitated repatriation flights to Germany, France, and Poland. Contact your resort or the VIA Help Desk for the latest availability.

Planning a Trip to the Maldives Right Now

If you're considering a trip to the Maldives during this period, the destination itself is completely unaffected. Here's what to keep in mind:

• Book via non-Middle Eastern routes. Colombo, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Indian cities all have regular direct flights to the Maldives that are operating normally.
• European direct flights are running. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Condor, Edelweiss, and others fly directly to Male without transiting the Middle East.
• Avoid booking through Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi until those hubs confirm full reopening.
• Secure your hotel first. If you're travelling far in advance, it may be best to book your resort before buying flights. It is generally much easier to move or refund a hotel booking than an airline ticket.
• Take advantage of lower flight fares cautiously. Some travellers may wish to take advantage of lower airline fares currently available through Gulf carriers. If you choose this option, we recommend doing so well in advance and monitoring the situation closely. This strategy may work for some travellers, but it may not suit everyone.
• Book through a travel agency. Booking with a travel agency such as Maldives.com means you have access to real travel consultants who assist before, during, and after your trip. During global disruptions, it is often much easier to reach a dedicated agency team.

Is It Still a Good Time to Book?

Yes, especially for travel later in the year or next year. Because:

• The Maldives remains one of the most stable long-haul destinations
• Resorts are still offering early booking discounts and special offers
• We are negotiating flexible payment terms for your bookings so you remain protected
• Many travellers actually book during periods like this because rates and availability can be better

Direct flights from Europe (no Middle East transit)

Several European airlines fly directly to the Maldives without routing through Middle Eastern airspace:

1. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow
2. Air France from Paris CDG
3. Condor and Discover Airlines from Frankfurt
4. Edelweiss from Zurich
5. Austrian Airlines from Vienna
6. ITA Airways and Neos from Milan/Rome
7. BeOnd from Munich, Zurich, and Milan

Direct flights from Russia & Central Asia

• Aeroflot from Moscow
• Air Astana from Almaty
• Centrum Air from Tashkent

What We are Doing to Help

During this period of uncertainty affecting some flight routes, our team is actively assisting clients in several ways.

Supporting guests currently in the Maldives

We are working with resorts to help guests who need to extend their stays at affordable rates while waiting for alternative flights.

Helping Travellers Reach the Right Authorities

Our team is providing guidance to guests who need assistance contacting airlines, embassies, or consulates to adjust travel arrangements.

Flexible Re-booking and Refunds

For guests who booked through Maldives.com, we are negotiating with the hotels and assisting with moving travel dates where possible or processing refunds if rescheduling is not an option.

More Flexible Payment Terms

For both current and future bookings, we are offering more flexible payment terms to give travellers greater confidence when planning their Maldives holidays.

Our goal is to ensure every guest receives the support they need and that planning a Maldives trip remains as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Helpful Middle Eastern Flight Updates

Emirates

Emirates is operating a reduced schedule from Dubai. The airline is prioritising passengers with earlier bookings and aims to return to full capacity in the coming days. Whether the Dubai–Male route is currently active on the reduced schedule should be confirmed directly with Emirates or their local representative (+960 331 5465). On 7 March, a drone incident near Dubai International Airport temporarily suspended all flights; operations resumed the same day but further disruptions remain possible.

https://www.emirates.com/uk/english/help/travel-updates/

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways has begun limited flight operations to and from Doha from 8 March, but Male is not currently listed among the limited destinations. Colombo is included from 10 March, which could serve as a connecting route to/from the Maldives. These limited flights do not constitute a full resumption of scheduled operations. Complimentary date changes and refunds remain available.

https://www.qatarairways.com/en/travel-alerts.html

British Airways

British Airways direct flights from London Heathrow to Male are operating. The airline is monitoring the situation and may add additional services if possible. Flexible rebooking and refund options remain available.

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/flightops/public/en_gb

Etihad Airways

Etihad resumed a limited schedule from 6 March, and Male is confirmed as one of the included destinations (6–19 March). All flights until 21 March are eligible for full refunds at [etihad.com/en/help/refund-form](http://etihad.com/en/help/refund-form). Tickets issued on or before 28 February with travel dates up to 21 March can be rebooked free of charge up to 15 May. Travellers should be cautious of fake Etihad social media accounts requesting personal details.

https://www.etihad.com/en-gb/manage/flight-status

https://www.etihad.com/en/help/refund-form

flydubai

flydubai is operating a reduced schedule from Dubai since 5 March. Whether the Male route is active on the reduced schedule should be confirmed directly with flydubai.

https://www.flydubai.com/en/help/operational-updates/

Gulf Air

Bahrain airspace remains closed. All Gulf Air flights including to Male are suspended with no confirmed restart date.

https://www.gulfair.com

Air Arabia

Air Arabia has begun limited flights from the UAE but it is not confirmed whether the Male route is included. Check directly with the airline.

https://www.airarabia.com/en/travel-alerts

BeOnd

BeOnd has added extra Maldives–Europe flights on 7 and 10 March to Munich, Zurich, and Milan to support travellers returning home. Munich–Maldives schedule extended through 13 April.

https://flybeond.com/

https://www.facebook.com/flybeond

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic flights from London Heathrow to Male are operating as planned, with some flights on adjusted routes (slightly longer flight times) to avoid Middle Eastern airspace.

https://www.virginatlantic.com/