The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has reported cancellation of 19 scheduled flights to the Maldives on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Reportedly this affected a total of 3,530 passengers.
This disruption follows the intensified military actions by Israel and the United States against Iran the day before, which have exacerbated the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
According to data by MACL, nine flights got cancelled on this Saturday as the regional situation escalated, impacting 1,716 travelers. These flight cancellations are a direct result of the closure of airspace across several Middle Eastern nations due to the prevailing security conditions.
Sunday’s international flight cancellations include arrivals and departures from prominent regional carriers operating from Middle Eastern hubs, namely Emirates, flyDubai, Gulf Air, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways.
In response to this situation, MACL said that it is actively working to mitigate the difficulties faced by stranded passengers. A dedicated “Disruption Management Center” has been established at Velana International Airport (VIA) to coordinate assistance.
As part of these efforts, the domestic terminal will be used to provide comfortable arrangements for affected travelers.
MACL’s media department confirmed, that, as of Sunday’s evening, essential assistance had been provided to 130 passengers through the cooperation of relevant authorities. The company also set up specialized counters in the domestic terminal for cancelled flights, with airline officials and on-site to assist passengers with their travel arrangements.
MACL further confirms collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism, Visit Maldives along with various airlines and tour operators to resolve the challenges faced by passengers.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Ibrahim Thoriq noted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could potentially drop tourist arrivals between 30 to 35 percent.