Maldives’ national airline Maldivian resumed flights on the Male-Dhaka-Male route on Thursday, restoring direct connections between the South Asian neighbours ahead of the Eid travel rush.
The inaugural flight, operated by an Airbus A320, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 5:20am with a full passenger load. It departed on its return journey at 6:20am.
Arriving passengers were received by officials of the airline’s local General Sales Agent (GSA) Galaxy Aviation Services.
Initially, the airline will operate the route twice weekly on Sundays and Thursdays, with return fares starting from $399 (around Tk47,880).
Passengers on the service receive 30kg baggage allowance and complimentary onboard meals, while tickets are available through Maldivian’s official website, mobile app and call centre (1671).
The resumption follows an agreement signed on 23 February between Maldivian Managing Director Mohamed Ibrahim Yasir and Galaxy Bangladesh Group President and CEO Ahmed Yusuf Walid.
The launch ceremony was attended by Maldives Ambassador to Bangladesh Shiuneen Rasheed, Maldivian Director of Ground Operations Ahmed Ibrahim, and General Manager (International Commercial) Mohamed Safah.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Rasheed said the restored service would further strengthen bilateral relations and people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and the Maldives.
The timing of the launch also coincides with the Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr travel season, facilitating movement of both Bangladeshi expatriates returning home and Maldivian travellers heading abroad.
Maldivian currently operates a fleet of 26 aircraft, including an Airbus A330 wide-body, Airbus A320, ATR aircraft, Dash 8 turboprops and Twin Otter aircraft, serving a range of domestic and international destinations.
