Tourism Ministry urges resorts to track flight disruptions

The Ministry of Tourism on Saturday advised resorts and guesthouses to closely monitor changes to airline schedules due to ongoing developments in the Middle East, saying it is working to identify difficulties faced by passengers and provide assistance.

The advisory follows military exchanges in the Middle East, which have led to the temporary closure of airspace in several countries and the cancellation of flights.

A significant number of tourists travel to the Maldives via transit hubs in the Middle East, and the current situation has affected inbound and outbound travel. The airspace closures have disrupted flights scheduled to depart from and arrive in the Maldives.

The Ministry of Tourism said multiple flights have been cancelled as a result of the developments. It said it is coordinating with relevant agencies to assess passenger issues and support affected travellers.

In a statement, the ministry urged resorts, guesthouses and tourism service providers to confirm airline schedule changes before arranging transport for guests to the airport. The ministry also advised passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted to follow guidance issued by airlines and relevant authorities.

Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim told state media that more than 1,400 passenger movements had been affected.

He said arrangements were being made to ensure that passengers who had already arrived at the airport could return to their resorts or guesthouses. He added that some tourists had requested ticket changes to travel on alternative flights, while others chose to remain at the airport to await further updates.