The Maldives is working to conclude two additional air service agreements aimed at increasing tourist arrivals and expanding international air connectivity, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has said.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PSM News, Minister Ameen outlined the government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's tourism sector through expanded aviation links.
The minister said the government's objective is to make full use of the traffic rights available to the Maldives under existing air service agreements. While a number of factors had prevented this from being fully realised in the past, he said efforts are now under way to maximise those opportunities.
"We are working to achieve this so that, beyond the destinations currently serving the Maldives, we can attract visitors from additional markets," Ameen said.
Referring to the ongoing work, Ameen said negotiations are under way on two more air service agreements. He described the talks as major undertakings that require time but said he was satisfied with the pace of progress, adding that tangible results are expected before long.
Air service agreements are bilateral or multilateral arrangements that set the framework for commercial flights between countries. For island nations such as the Maldives, these agreements are particularly important as the tourism industry relies heavily on international air connectivity.
Such agreements determine which foreign airlines can operate to the Maldives, the number of seats they are permitted to offer and the markets they can serve. They are also expanded over time to improve access from key tourism source markets and increase visitor arrivals.
Most recently, the Maldives signed an air service agreement with Ethiopia, marking the sixth such agreement with an African country. The agreement paves the way for direct flights between Addis Ababa and the Maldives.
The Maldives has also concluded an agreement with Australia to facilitate direct services. Under that arrangement, the national carrier, Maldivian, has already begun operating direct flights to Australia.