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Etihad Airways suspends all passenger flights
Etihad Airways has announced plans to temporarily suspend all passenger flight operations.
Following an order from the UAE government, the Abu Dhabi-based airline says it will ground all passenger flights from March 25 – initially for two weeks – in a bid to limit the spread of Covid-19.
Cargo and emergency evacuation flights are exempt and will continue.
“These are unprecedented times and unprecedented decisions are being made by governments, authorities and companies, including Etihad, to contain the spread of the coronavirus and to help minimise its effects around the world,” Tony Douglas, CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“As the national airline, we stand in full support of the UAE government’s decision, and are confident that we’re well prepared to weather the commercial and operational impact this suspension will have on our services.”
Guests will be notified if their flight is cancelled. However, prior to proceeding to the airport, all guests should still check the status of their flights, using the Etihad Airways Flight Tracker.
“We stand with our loyal customers, who are having to endure disruption and inconvenience to their travel and their daily lives, and we dedicate all our efforts and resources to ensuring we do all we can to assist them with their travel planning during this challenging period,” Douglas said.
Etihad had last week reduced the frequency on the Abu Dhabi-Male route to one flight per day from two.
Etihad Airways’ decision follows a similar action by Emirates, which has changed its plans for closing down passenger operations for the third time in 12 hours.
Following an order from the UAE government, the giant Dubai-based airline also says it will ground all passenger flights from March 25, initially for two weeks.
In its first announcement on Sunday afternoon, Emirates said it would cease all passenger operations from Wednesday.
But two hours later, the airline said: “Having received requests from governments and customers to support repatriation of travellers, Emirates will continue to operate passenger and cargo flights to few countries until further notice, as long as borders remain open, and there is demand.”
Now the UAE government has banned all passenger flights for a spell of two weeks.
Etihad Airways and Emirates join a host of other international airlines with operations to the Maldives that are scaling back their operations amidst the global economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Turkish Airlines, which has a daily service between Istanbul and Male, has suspended its operations to the Maldives as part of a wider scaling back of operations.
Singapore Airlines has also reduced the frequency on its Maldives service to four flights per week from 16 a week.
Bangkok Airways has announced similar cancellations and frequency reductions.
The global coronavirus outbreak has hit the Maldivian economy hard, as travel restrictions and other preventive measures affect the country’s lucrative tourism industry, which contributes the bulk of the island nation’s state revenue and foreign reserves.
On March 8, Maldives reported its first cases of the novel coronavirus, as two hotel employees tested positive for Covid-19 at a luxury resort in the archipelago. Eleven more cases — all foreigners working or staying resorts and liveaboard vessels — were later identified.
However, five out of the 13 have made full recoveries, whilst the rest are being treated at designated quarantine facilities.
Maldives announced a state of public health emergency on March 12, the first such declaration under a recent public health protection law.
The public health emergency declaration has allowed the government to introduce a series of unprecedented restrictive and social distancing measures, including a ban on inter-island travel of tourists, including for excursions and between resort islands.
A nationwide shut down of all guesthouses and city hotels has also been ordered. Spa facilities located on inhabited islands have also been closed.
The Maldives had closed its borders to arrivals from some of the worst-hit countries, including mainland China, Italy, Bangladesh, Iran, Spain, the United Kingdom and Malaysia. Visitors from three regions of Germany (Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg), two regions of France (Île-de-France and Grand Est) and two regions of South Korea are also banned from entering the country.
All direct flights to and from China, Italy, South Korea and Iran had also been cancelled.
Cruise ships and foreign yachts had also been banned from docking at any of the country’s ports.
The island nation had installed thermal screening cameras at its international airports.
Quarantine facilities, including designated islets from the 1,192 islands that make up the archipelago, had been established.
Maldivian tour operator Secret Paradise Maldives has successfully renewed its Travelife Partner Award, recognising the company’s continued commitment to responsible tourism, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The renewal acknowledges Secret Paradise’s progress in implementing responsible tourism practices and integrating sustainability across its business operations.
The Travelife Partner standard requires tour operators to meet more than 100 sustainability criteria covering office management, business operations, product development, international business partners and customer information. Based on the ISO 26000 guidelines on corporate social responsibility, the criteria address areas including environmental protection, biodiversity, human rights and labour relations.
Since its establishment in 2012, Secret Paradise has focused on demonstrating how tourism can generate positive outcomes for local communities and the environment. The company’s approach includes supporting local businesses, creating opportunities for communities, promoting responsible marine encounters and encouraging visitors to develop a greater understanding of Maldivian culture and the natural environment.
Commenting on the renewal, Ruth Franklin, Co-Founder of Secret Paradise Maldives, said: “Sustainability is an ongoing journey, one that requires continuous commitment, reflection and a willingness to evolve. There is always more we can do.
“We have always believed that tourism should benefit the people and places that make the Maldives so special. This means looking beyond the experiences we deliver to consider how we operate, the partners we work with and the impact our activities have on local communities and the environment. We are proud of the progress we have made and remain committed to doing more.”
Naut Kusters, Manager of Travelife for Tour Operators, welcomed the renewal, highlighting the growing importance of sustainability within the tourism industry.
“I am delighted to see that sustainability in the tour operator sector is obtaining momentum. The Partner renewal award of Secret Paradise will continue to inspire other companies in Maldives to follow the same path,” he said.
Travelife is an international sustainability certification programme for tour operators and travel agents, supported by more than 35 national travel associations worldwide, including ABTA in the United Kingdom, ANVR in the Netherlands and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
The programme comprises three stages: Travelife Engaged, Travelife Partner and Travelife Certified.
Following the successful renewal of its Travelife Partner status, Secret Paradise Maldives intends to further strengthen its sustainability practices as it works towards achieving Travelife Certified status.
Six Senses Laamu has introduced 17 new overwater villas across four accommodation categories as part of a multi-year transformation programme aimed at upgrading guest accommodation and shared facilities at the resort.
The new villas feature expanded living spaces, redesigned interiors and additional amenities, while maintaining the resort’s focus on marine conservation and its surrounding natural environment.
The interiors incorporate a coastal colour palette featuring white and neutral tones alongside shades of blue inspired by the surrounding lagoon. Natural materials are used throughout the villas, including driftwood coffee tables, handcrafted hanging lamps and decorative features.
A notable design element is a textured surface pattern inspired by the structure of a turtle shell. The design references the hawksbill and green turtles found in the waters surrounding the resort, reflecting Six Senses Laamu’s marine conservation initiatives.
Each villa features panoramic windows overlooking the ocean, alongside indoor seating and dining spaces.
Outdoor amenities include an 18-square-metre private swimming pool, an overwater hammock, dining and lounge areas, and an upper deck offering views across the lagoon. The villas also feature bathtubs positioned to provide ocean views.
The four new accommodation categories are Ocean Water Villa Suite with Pool, Laamu Water Villa Suite with Pool, Horizon Water Villa Suite with Pool and Family Water Villa with Pool.
All four categories offer expanded interiors, dedicated seating and dining areas, additional wardrobe space and outdoor decks.
The Horizon Water Villa Suite with Pool is designed to provide uninterrupted views of the ocean horizon.
The Family Water Villa with Pool is a new accommodation concept for Six Senses Laamu, featuring a separate children’s bedroom with an adjoining bathroom.
The family villas also include private pools and outdoor decks, providing shared recreational spaces alongside separate accommodation areas for children.
Families staying in the new villas can participate in the resort’s Junior Marine Biologist programme, which introduces younger guests to marine life and conservation activities.
The introduction of the new accommodation categories marks the first phase of a wider redevelopment programme at Six Senses Laamu.
The multi-year project will include further improvements to guest accommodation and shared facilities, while retaining the resort’s existing marine conservation programmes, house reef and environmental initiatives.
The 17 new villas will be available for stays from 6 December 2026, with rates starting from USD 2,185 for an Ocean Water Villa Suite with Pool.
.Here Baa Atoll has received three awards at the World Luxury Hotel Awards 2026, including the title of World’s Best Luxury New Resort.
The private island retreat was also recognised as Best Luxury Private Island Resort in the Indian Ocean and Best Luxury Boutique Resort in the Maldives.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, .Here Baa Atoll comprises nine residences across two secluded islands, Somewhere and Nowhere. The resort focuses on providing private accommodation, personalised services and experiences tailored to individual guest preferences.
The recognition as World’s Best Luxury New Resort marks a significant achievement for the property, which has positioned itself within the ultra-luxury hospitality segment since its opening.
At Somewhere, the resort offers three- and four-bedroom residences combining beachfront accommodation with overwater architecture. The residences feature indoor and outdoor living spaces, private infinity pools and views of the Indian Ocean.
Guests are supported by dedicated Roohu hosts, who coordinate services and experiences according to individual requirements throughout their stay.
Nowhere Private Island offers an eight-bedroom private island accommodation option designed for families and groups seeking exclusive use of the facilities.
The island features a private cinema, spa, gym, swimming pool and dedicated dining and entertainment spaces. Guests can also arrange personalised culinary experiences and other activities during their stay.
The resort’s dining offerings include SAFAR Restaurant and private dining experiences tailored to guest preferences.
Marine excursions are also available aboard the resort’s private yacht, ASMAS, allowing guests to explore the surrounding waters and marine environment of Baa Atoll.
The resort operates under its Embrace the Now philosophy, which focuses on personalised experiences and allowing guests flexibility in how they spend their time on the islands.
The three awards add to several international recognitions received by .Here Baa Atoll in 2026.
These include its inclusion in the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List, two awards at the AHEAD Asia Awards, recognition in DestinAsian’s Luxe List and a place among the top resorts in the Indian Ocean in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards.
The World Luxury Hotel Awards recognise hotels and resorts across various categories based on their luxury hospitality offerings, service standards, design and guest experiences.
The latest awards recognise .Here Baa Atoll’s accommodation, facilities and personalised hospitality services within the luxury tourism sector in the Maldives and the wider Indian Ocean region.
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