Author: Mohamed Reehaan

Dubai’s low-cost carrier FlyDubai, earlier scheduled to launch operations to Addu City Gan on 04th February, will be postponing the operations to June. Speaking about the delay, Mohamed Firaq the Managing Director of Inner Maldives, FlyDubai’s local agent, said the flights to Gan will now launch on 24th June. With this decision the existing Dubai-Male’ flight will accommodate passengers who have already booked tickets to travel next month. Travel date changes will not incur any additional fees, said Firaq. Firaq also noted that the airline decided to postpone its new flight routes since it requires additional time and activities to…

Sonee Sports opens its latest sportswear retail outlet focusing exclusively on one of the world’s leading sports apparel brands; Adidas. The latest of Sonee Sports’ retail outlet is run in the building where Sonee Sports Lifestyle formerly ran, located in Chaandhanee Magu. Sonee’s Adidas store offers a wide range of apparel, shoes and other items for runners, joggers and professional athletes. The outlet is also offering 10% discount on all available products as part of the opening. Special showcases include Adidas Ultra-Boost 5.0 sneakers designed for joggers and runners, the Pro Nex 2021 specifically designed for professional basketball players, and…

Maldives Correctional Service on Saturday, 07th January 2023, denied rumors that it has actively ceased providing insurance coverage to staff. Several media outlets have reported on Friday claiming Correctional Service has halted its insurance coverage to prison officers and rehabilitation service staff. Correctional Service spokesperson Aminath Yusreen Ahmed has since refuted media claims. According to Yusreen, Correctional Service had signed a one-year contract with a local insurance provider in 2022. “The contract would have expired with the end of the year, right? We are communicating with another insurance provider to re-start insurance coverage. This hasn’t been finalized yet,” she said.…

The Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the National Disability Registry (NDR) was instrumental in the administration’s efforts to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. The President made the statement last Thursday, 05th January 2023, while addressing a function in R. Alifushi to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, Maldives First Lady Fazna Ahmed officially launched the NDR digital portal at the function, held in Alifushi School. The function was attended by senior government officials, community leaders, and residents of the island. While addressing the attendees, President Solih underlined the efforts made under…

Oaga Art Resort opened its doors, officially welcoming travelers from around the globe, this new year. The newly opened tourist getaway, a contemporary brand driven by a wholly Maldivian team focuses the main concept of the resort around the philosophy of organic community growth. The art resort focuses on “elevating the collective story of the Maldive islands with a platform especially made to cater to local artists and craftsmen” while embracing the surrounding sun, sand, and beaches. The resort opened with the 2023 new year celebrations, showcasing a transition from the traditional ways of the forefathers to the contemporary street…

According to the Maldives Ministry of Finance, the government used 99.8% of the approved expenditure budget by 29th December 2022. The approved state expenditure total for last year was MVR39.95 billion after the inclusion of an MVR5.8 billion supplementary budget. As of 29th December, the cumulative total expenditure stood at MVR39.89 billion. On the other hand, the state revenues inclusive of grants were observed at an excess of MVR3.3 billion by the review date. The projected total of revenues inclusive of grants for last year stood at MVR24.3 billion, however, by the review date the state had earned MVR27.6 billion.…

The most recent statistics from the Ministry of Tourism confirmed that tourist arrivals so far in were3 were up by 7.0% compared to the same duration in 2022. Arrival Differences 2021: 13,008 arrivals 2022: 20,842 arrivals 2023: 22,297 arrivals * arrival count as of 04th January 2023 With a cumulative arrival total of 22,297 by 04th January, the daily arrival average of tourists to the Maldives stood at 5,574. The current average duration of stay for guests is 8.1 days. Meanwhile, there are notable differences in the top ten source markets to the Maldives so far in 2023; though this…

This year’s top source market is a surprise entry; Italy. According to the most recent statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, total arrivals from Italy are at 3,437 as of 04th January 2023. This is 19.8% of the total tourist arrivals so far this year. Top 10 Markets (so far in 2023) Italy: 3,437 Russia: 2,974 India: 1,155 UK: 959 Germany: 945 USA: 794 Kazakhstan: 501 France: 415 Switzerland: 411 Sweden: 362 Daily Tourist Arrivals 01st January: 4,625 02nd January: 6,487 03rd January: 6,232 According to the ministry, total tourist arrivals so far in 2023 have reached 17,344 (as of…

Fuel Supplies Maldives (FSM) signed with Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) to supply fuel from MIFCO sites to local fishing vessels. MIFCO Chief Executive Officer Ismail Fauzee signed on behalf of the fisheries corporation while FSM Managing Director Mohamed Gasam signed on behalf of the supplier. Under the agreement, FSM will facilitate refueling services at both Kooddoo and Addu Fisheries complexes. FSM is also expected to commence fuel supply operations in Felivaru Fisheries complex on 03rd February. Earlier in November 2022, FSM began selling diesel from Hulhumale’ at standard rate as MIFCO for local fishing vessels. With this partnership, MIFCO…

The national carrier of Maldives confirmed acquiring two new ATR 72-600s and one ATR 42-600 series turboprop aircraft in January 2022. From the total acquisition, two of the ATR 72-600s are scheduled to arrive at Velana International Airport (VIA) sometime on Wednesday, 04th January from Toulouse. The three aircraft were initially set to join the Maldivian Airlines fleet earlier in October 2022. However, manufacturing mishaps delayed the process. Total acquisition cost of the three aircraft is reportedly USD60 million (MVR925 million). Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Maldivian Mohamed Mihad said the airline expects to add three more by the end…