Some flights resume to Maldives amid Middle East airspace disruption

Some flights to the Maldives have resumed despite airspace closures in several countries in the Middle East.

Air travel disruptions have left thousands of passengers stranded as airlines suspended services from major transit hubs including Dubai and Doha.

Airlines based in the United Arab Emirates have restarted a number of scheduled services to the Maldives.

Emirates and Etihad Airways have resumed some flights to Velana International Airport, with several services operating on Thursday and Friday.

Emirates operated more than 100 scheduled flights during the two days. Etihad Airways said it would operate limited services until the 19th of this month and adjust flight numbers in line with safety guidance issued by relevant authorities.

Other UAE carriers, including flydubai and Air Arabia, have also resumed some services to selected destinations.

Airlines said passengers whose flights were cancelled during the disruption are being given priority on scheduled services. Passengers are being contacted directly with updates regarding their travel.

Tourism arrivals to the Maldives have also been affected by the suspension of flights by airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, flydubai and Etihad Airways.

Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said earlier this week that around 30 to 35 percent of visitors travel to the Maldives through these airlines.

The minister said the government is exploring other options to support tourist arrivals.

These include increasing the frequency of direct flights that do not transit through Middle Eastern hubs, particularly from markets such as China and India.

He also said some airlines from Europe have increased services to the Maldives.