News
Mega Maldives Airlines to start flights to Saudi Arabia
Maldives.net.mv – With an eye on the ever-growing Gulf and Middle East market, Mega Maldives Airlines is set to launch its services to Saudi Arabia.
“In fact, we are getting ready and will launch our maiden flights to the Kingdom very soon,” said George Weinmann, CEO of Mega Maldives Airlines in a recent interview with Arab News.
“We have observed that the interest is very strong during our visit to Saudi Arabia. So, we are very excited about offering our services to the Kingdom,” Weinmann told Arab News.
“Jeddah will be our first choice, but we will also hope to provide services to Riyadh, followed by Madinah and possibly Dammam,” said Weinmann, who was in Saudi Arabia to initiate formalities for launching the flights.
The airline is initially planning to operate its 6-hour nonstop flights three to four times a week to Saudi Arabia.
The carrier now has a fleet of four aircraft. Within the next few months two more planes — Boeing 767 and Boeing 757 — will be added, raising the number of aircraft to six.
Explaining the carrier’s choice of B757 aircraft, he said that the decision was made in the context of its superior range performance. He said: “The Maldives is in the middle of the Indian Ocean from where major markets like Saudi Arabia or China are 6 hours or more away by air. In the Maldives, the nearest alternate (diversion) airport is about an hour away. Smaller aircraft like A320s don’t have a range to cover the six-hour flights. So, you have to fly larger aircraft like the 757. The 757 is designed to fly up to 8 hours so by choosing this aircraft we can enter new markets and develop these markets with very comfortable and very reliable aircraft, and then switch to bigger, wider aircraft as the market grows larger. But people like to have frequency, and the 757 helps us offer more choice without compromising on performance or service.”
Weinmann said: “At present, we are flying to some Chinese destinations, but we see opportunities in new markets. Just like the Chinese market, the globally recognized fast growing and attractive new outbound markets are basically in the Middle East-Gulf region. In the region, we see Saudi Arabia is underserved by international destinations. That is why we have chosen to focus on the Middle East and that is why we are here in Jeddah.”
He said the carrier is also planning to extend its network into Southeast Asia — to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and other cities in that region as well as to Australia.
He said many Saudi nationals have been visiting the Maldives. “Last year, about 10,000 Saudis visited the island. In 2009, there were only about 3,000 or so Saudis toured the islands. So the number has grown very fast. We hope to see 15,000 to 20,000 Saudi visitors in the Maldives, and we hope direct flights will support this.” he said.
“Saudi Arabia is not as big a country as China, but we see a lot of opportunities here,” said the CEO. Weinmann said: “We expect to have very good business coming from the Maldives to Saudi Arabia also. Maldivians like to travel abroad and the Kingdom is expected to be a popular choice. And through our hub in Male, we are very well positioned to connect Southeast Asia and the Kingdom as well.”
He said the air services agreement between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia allows for regular Umrah and Haj flights.
Muhammad Najmi, general manager for Nudra Aviation, owned by Abdul Aziz Gabel, says the company is working with Mega Maldives Airlines to promote the carrier in Saudi Arabia.
Weinmann said Maldivian airlines had been granted access to all the main international airports in Saudi Arabia. The Maldives Civil Aviation Authority signed the agreement with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) recently.
This festive season, NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort is turning up the rhythm with Havana Nights, a colourful island celebration inspired by the music, flavours and unmistakable spirit of Cuba.
Running from 21 December 2026 to 7 January 2027, the programme brings together festive dining, live entertainment, family experiences, wellness and ocean adventures, all set against the natural beauty of Fonimagoodhoo in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve.
The celebrations begin on 21 December, an especially meaningful date as the resort marks the first anniversary of its new chapter as NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort. An anniversary cocktail reception will be followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree, setting the mood for more than two weeks of festive island life.
Christmas Eve will unfold with a distinctly tropical spirit. Guests can spend the day between wellness sessions, family activities and the beach before gathering for festive cocktails, Santa’s arrival and a Christmas Gala Dinner at Jumla. Live music and Cuban-inspired performances will carry the celebrations into the evening.
The programme continues with relaxed festive dining, music, beach activities, wellness experiences and plenty for younger guests, allowing families and couples to enjoy the season at their own pace.
On 29 December, Havana Nights takes its sense of adventure beneath the surface with the resort’s Sunken Rum Dive. Divers will retrieve an ocean-aged rum cask before the story continues ashore with Bring Up the Lost Treasure, a guided tasting inspired by Handhuvaru’s signature rum experience.
The island reaches its most vibrant on New Year’s Eve, with live entertainment, music and fire performances leading into a midnight fireworks display over the Indian Ocean. New Year’s Day slows the tempo with a leisurely brunch, live music and relaxed afternoon celebrations by the sea.
Inspired by the romance of Caribbean travel and the easy rhythm of island life, Havana Nights gives the traditional festive escape a warmer, more playful character. Days are made for the ocean, spa and sunshine, while evenings bring people together over good food, music and celebration beneath the palms.
NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort is home to 105 renovated beach and overwater villas, complemented by restaurants and bars, REVIVE Spa & Wellbeing, family facilities and a wide range of marine and recreational experiences.
The resort is located 35 minutes by seaplane from Malé, or 20 minutes by domestic flight to Dharavandhoo Airport followed by a 15-minute speedboat transfer.
For more information about NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, please visit the resort’s official website.
Joy Island has unveiled its festive programme for 2026/2027. Titled Joyful Horizons the festive season runs from 22 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, offering a vibrant programme of celebrations and experiences inspired by the island’s natural rhythm.
Christmas on the Island
The season opens on 22 December with the lighting of the island’s Christmas tree on Rainbow Beach, with cocktails, and Captain Santa’s Ocean Escape, a family dhoni cruise. On Christmas Eve, guests can enjoy cocktails at Rainbow Bar, a candlelit Gala Dinner at The Market and a Christmas Eve Party with a midnight snack spread. Christmas Day begins with Santa’s arrival on Rainbow Beach, followed by a festive brunch at The Market, a Christmas BBQ Dinner at Palm Beach and live music at Rainbow Bar.
Welcoming the New Year 2027
On 31 December, guests can start with a pre-dinner cocktail at Rainbow Bar, then sit down to a multi-course Gala Dinner on Rainbow Beach. Fireworks light up the beach at midnight for the countdown to 2027, and a midnight snack spread keeps the celebration going. New Year’s Day begins with breakfast, a Recovery Brunch at Market Restaurant, a Celebrate Maldivian Culture evening and Cinema Under the Stars at Palm Beach.
Dining Experiences
Explore signature culinary experiences such as Tales of the Maldivian Sea on 26 December, A Food Journey Through the Wines with Master Sommelier on 28 December, Endless Romance, a private candlelit dinner for two on 30 December, and the Italian Wine Journey on 4 January. Guests can also savour a diverse range of flavours across the resort’s restaurants, from international cuisine at The Market to authentic Italian dishes at Il Basilico and Asian specialities, including teppanyaki-inspired creations, at the Japanese Corner.
Family, wellness and discovery
Beach Family Olympics, a Family Kayak Race, a Family Amazing Race and family pool fiestas run through the season. Guests can also join a local island discovery tour, sunset fishing, coral planting with a marine biologist, and mixology and chocolate-making classes. The daily Kiddie Cove programme includes coconut shell painting, gingerbread crafts, treasure hunts and a kids’ talent show. Oasis Spa offers couples’ massages, facials and a Maldivian herbal poultice, and daily yoga runs at the Spa Yoga Pavilion.
As night falls, Rainbow Bar comes alive with vibrant themed evenings, including Hawaiian Night with a fire show, the Blanc & Beats White Party, Mystic Mask Night, Masquerade Party and Glow After Dark, creating a festive atmosphere filled with music, entertainment and unforgettable island moments.
“This festive season, we invite our guests to embrace the joy of togetherness and create unforgettable holiday memories. From exquisite gala dinners and vibrant themed evenings to exciting island adventures and fun-filled celebrations for all ages, we have curated a festive programme that captures the lively spirit of Joy Island, ” said Bandula Thilakarathne, Resort Manager of Joy Island.
You & Me Maldives has unveiled its festive programme for 2026/2027. From 22 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, the adults-only romantic retreat will offer sixteen days of vibrant celebrations, exclusive dining experiences and unforgettable island adventures.
Christmas on the Island
The season opens on 22 December with a sunset cocktail party and “A Spark of Love” tree-lighting ceremony at Cheers Bar Beach. On Christmas Eve, guests are joined by carolers for a cocktail party, followed by a Christmas Gala Dinner on The Sand Beach and a late-night Christmas Party. Christmas Day brings carols, Santa’s arrival on the beach, a Christmas Brunch, an X-Mas Day Cruise and an Indian Chef Movement dinner.
Welcoming the New Year 2027
On 31 December, guests can enjoy a cocktail party at Cheers Bar Beach and a gala dinner on The Sand Beach. The night closes with the Disco Around the World Party, featuring dazzling performances, live music and DJ sets, before a midnight fireworks display over the Maldivian sky. New Year’s Day starts slowly with a “Love at First Light” breakfast and a New Year’s Brunch, then continues with the First Wave and First Catch of the Year excursions.
Romantic Dining Experiences
Romantic dining is the heart of the programme, featuring exclusive culinary experiences such as Krug Beneath the Waves on 28 December, a five-course dinner paired with Krug Champagne at H2O, the resort’s underwater restaurant six metres below the ocean’s surface, curated by Chef Andrea Berton. Other highlights include Journey Through the Night, a five-course dinner aboard the Love Boat; Beneath the Canopy of Love, an intimate beachside dinner paired with Ruinart Brut; Sand & Romance, featuring a unique sunken table set into the sand; and An Affair with Lobster, a beachfront lobster barbecue accompanied by Champagne, alongside many other exquisite culinary offerings.
Experiences and entertainment
Guests can head out on a Love Drift castaway sandbank picnic lunch, sunset fishing, dolphin cruises, stargazing and local island excursions. Evenings feature a Maldivian Boduberu show, a fashion show, karaoke, belly dance performances, a Glow Party and an Orthodox Christmas Party on 6 January. By day, the resort offers morning flow yoga, aqua aerobics, Tabata and a pool party.
Wellness Packages include the Moonlight Spa Ritual under the stars and a Private Sandbank Massage. Highlights include the Asian Heritage Signature Massage, Chakra Therapy and Lava Stone Therapy at our beautiful You & Me Spa.
“This festive season, we celebrate the special moments and connections that make the holidays truly memorable. From sumptuous gala feasts to extraordinary dining experiences six metres beneath the ocean at H2O, we have curated an exclusive programme that reflects the essence of our adults-only premium all-inclusive resort, inviting guests to celebrate romance in its most enchanting form here on the Island of Love,” said Mohamed Imthiyaz, General Manager of You & Me Maldives.
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