News
AirAsia starts direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – AirAsia, the world’s best low-cost airline for seven consecutive years has commenced its direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Male (Maldives) with its inaugural flight taking off Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) on time yesterday at 1855hrs with a flight load of over 90 per cent. The flight landed at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, Maldives at 2010hrs local time.
The Kuala Lumpur – Male (Maldives) route is currently exclusive to AirAsia and guests from Incheon, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Bangkok, Gold Coast and Penang are also able to connect to this idyllic holiday destination via AirAsia’s Fly-Thru service.
To celebrate the inaugural flight, several resorts in the Maldives are offering discounts and privileges exclusively to AirAsia guests with up to 40 per cent off hotel rates at properties such as Holiday Inn, Sheraton, W Retreat & Spa and more. Visit airasia.com for more information on these special offers.
Travelers can experience the magnificence of Maldives and book seats online at airasia.com with all-in-fares from as low as RM299 one way. This promotion is ongoing until 1st November 2015 for the travel period between 22nd October 2015 until 29th February 2016. Promo fares are also available via AirAsia’s mobile app on iPhone and Android devices, as well as the mobile site mobile.airasia.com.
Spencer Lee, Head of Commercial for AirAsia Berhad said, “We are proud to be the only airline connecting Malaysia to the Maldives directly. It is one of the most-sought-after getaways in the world for leisure travelers and are considered by many travellers as the perfect place for a honeymoon or group vacation. We would like to thank Maldives Airports Company Limited for their warm welcome and look forward to collaborate further to boost connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and Maldives, especially via our Fly-Thru service”.
Adil Moosa, Managing Director of Maldives Airports Ltd said, “It’s very special for all of us as the much anticipated airline AirAsia has launched its direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Maldives. We are indeed honoured to have such a reputed airline and we are confident that AirAsia will add value to our airport and we will fully support AirAsia in every way. I would like to convey our special thanks on behalf of Maldives Airports Company Ltd to the AirAsia team for choosing Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in their route expansion and I wish AirAsia all the best in their future endeavours”.
Awards
Kuda Villingili listed in Condé Nast Readers’ Choice Awards 2026
Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives has been nominated in the Resorts category for the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (UK) and the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 (US), marking a further development in the resort’s international recognition.
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based on traveller feedback and are considered a key benchmark within the global travel industry. The dual nomination reflects the resort’s presence across international markets and its engagement with guests from different regions.
The nomination follows a series of recognitions for the resort. In 2025, Kuda Villingili was ranked among the Top 5 Overseas Leisure Resorts Worldwide in the Condé Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, placing fifth globally. It was also listed among the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025 (US). The resort was similarly recognised in the 2024 edition of the awards.
Located in North Malé Atoll, approximately 30 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives offers 75 villas and residences, each with private pools and views of the surrounding ocean.
The resort features eight restaurants and three bars, including Japanese-Peruvian dining at Mar-Umi and Teppanyaki by Mar-Umi. Other dining options include Asian cuisine at East and grill offerings at Fire. Additional facilities include a cigar lounge, a large swimming pool, a spa with overwater treatment villas, and a range of wellness and recreational activities such as yoga, sound therapy and surfing.
Amjad Thaufeeg, Commercial Director at Kuda Villingili Resort Maldives, stated that the nominations reflect feedback from guests across international markets and noted the importance of maintaining consistent service standards.
Voting for the Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 is open until 30 June 2026, with results scheduled to be announced in November 2026.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
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