Maldivian restarts Malé–Dhaka flights with ceremonial welcome
The inaugural flight from Malé landed in Dhaka at 5:20am, operated by an Airbus A320 carrying a full load of passengers
ATT Correspondent 
Maldivian has resumed its direct Malé–Dhaka–Malé flight service, with the first arriving aircraft receiving a traditional water cannon salute at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on 12 March.
The inaugural flight from Malé landed in Dhaka at 5:20am, operated by an Airbus A320 carrying a full load of passengers, reports BSS.
The return flight departed for Malé at 6:20am the same morning. Passengers arriving in Dhaka were welcomed by officials from Galaxy Aviation Services, the airline’s local general sales agent.
Initially, the airline will operate the route twice a week—on Sundays and Thursdays. Return fares start from $399 (about Tk47,880). Travellers on the route will receive a baggage allowance of up to 30kg along with complimentary onboard meals.
Tickets can be purchased through the airline’s official website, mobile app and call centre.
Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian, the national carrier of Maldives, inaugurates the airliner’s Dhaka office at Gulshan in the capital on Monday. Photo: BSS
The resumption of the service follows an agreement signed on 23 February between Mohamed Ibrahim Yasir and Ahmed Yusuf Walid.
The launch ceremony at the airport was attended by Shiuneen Rasheed, Ahmed Ibrahim and Mohamed Safah. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Rasheed said the restored air link would strengthen bilateral relations and boost people-to-people connectivity between Bangladesh and Maldives.
Read More: Maldivian Opens Dhaka Office, Dhaka-Male Flights Resume March 12
The airline said the resumption of the route comes ahead of the Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr travel season, which is expected to support travel for Bangladeshi expatriates returning home as well as Maldivian travellers heading abroad.
Maldivian currently operates a fleet of 26 aircraft, including Airbus A330 and Airbus A320 jets, ATR 72 aircraft, De Havilland Canada Dash 8 turboprops and De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter planes, serving several domestic and international destinations.
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