Featured
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi begins Maldives flights
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the ultra-low-fare national airline of the UAE, on Tuesday began flight operations to to Male in the dreamy islands of the Maldives.
The route will be operated four times per week in October, every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, increasing to six times per week in November and operating daily from December.
The launch of the new route falls in line with the national airline’s expansion plans and will be operated by the fifth aircraft that recently joined its fleet, the brand new state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has long been a traveller favourite due to its picture perfect setting, pure white sandy beaches and colourful reefs. Boasting countless lagoons, coconut palms and beautiful reefs awash with all kinds of colourful sea life, it consists of around 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks and provides an island life escapism away from everyday life.
For those wishing to discover the romanticism of the Maldivian islands, the new route unlocks affordable travel options both within the UAE and for self-connecting passengers travelling from Central and Eastern Europe via the Wizz Air network.
Michael Berlouis, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Managing Director, said: “Offering the ideal escape for relaxation, self-discovery and picture perfect moments, it’s no surprise that the Maldives is an ever-popular destination. In line with our commitment to offer our customers world class low-cost travel experiences, we are excited to now be flying to this tropical paradise, unlocking new travel options for those not only within the UAE, but also for self-connecting passengers.”
“As we continue with our expansion plans and work towards making Abu Dhabi a hub for aviation, the new route will help us connect more international tourists with the city and give them the opportunity to stop off and explore the amazing experiences it has to offer. It will also be operated by our fifth aircraft Airbus A321neo, which has recently been added to our brand new fleet, and offers the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprint.”
Maldives tourism minister Dr Abdulla Mausoom said: “With the extensive global connections UAE provides, the new route from Abu Dhabi will strengthen connectivity between Maldives and the rest of the world. And with this enhanced connectivity between UAE and Maldives, I welcome Emiratis and resident to travel to Maldives and experience the Maldivian hospitality. Thanks to the direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Maldives, more people can take advantages of this convenient link. I wish Wizz Air every success with its new service to Maldives.”
Mahjoob Shujau, Maldives Airports Company Limited CEO and MD, said: “The number of travellers to the Maldives has grown significantly over the years, and this year, we are anticipating a new record that is higher than the pre-covid numbers. As a key stakeholder in the tourism industry, we want more airlines to start direct flights to VIA, which will allow us to attract more visitors from around the world. After all, our aim is to link the Maldives to the rest of the world”
The new route will offer travellers the opportunity to explore the marvellous destination, and falls in line with the airline’s ambitions to provide tourists and residents hassle-free, affordable experiences for international travellers. Tickets are on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, with fares starting as low as AED 359*.
Strategically located in the UAE, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi provides ultra-low fare, hassle-free and efficient travel options to Alexandria (Egypt), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Amman (Jordan), Aqaba (Jordan), Athens (Greece), Baku (Azerbaijan), Belgrade (Serbia), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait City (Kuwait), Kutaisi (Georgia), Manama (Bahrain), Male (Maldives), Muscat (Oman), Nur Sultan (Kazakhstan), Salalah (Oman), Santorini (Greece), Sarajevo (Bosnia), Sohag (Egypt), Tel-Aviv (Israel), Tirana (Albania) and Yerevan (Armenia) among others.
The airline has a young fleet composed of five brand new state-of-the-art Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprint. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has the lowest environmental footprint among its competitors in the region, supporting the airline’s long-term commitment to sustainability.
For ultimate peace of mind during this uncertain time, passengers can book tickets with confidence, thanks to WIZZ Flex. With WIZZ Flex, passengers can cancel their flight up to three hours before departure without any fee and receive 100% of the fare immediately reimbursed in airline credit.
Celebration
Sirru Fen Fushi to host Eid al-Adha celebration from 27–29 May
Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort has announced its “Eid in Harmony” programme for Eid al-Adha, scheduled from 27 to 29 May 2026, offering guests a series of curated experiences centred on dining, cultural elements and leisure activities.
The programme is designed to provide a structured yet relaxed approach to the celebration, with a focus on shared experiences and engagement with the island environment. According to the resort, the initiative aims to bring together cultural traditions and hospitality offerings within a resort setting.
A central feature of the programme will be the Eid al-Adha Feast, a dining experience presenting a selection of dishes prepared for the occasion. The event will be set in a themed environment reflecting elements associated with Eid.
The resort will also introduce an “Eid Gift with Purpose” initiative, positioned as a gesture aligned with the values of giving and reflection associated with the occasion.
In addition, guests will have the option to participate in a Guest Archery Competition, offering a recreational activity designed to complement the island setting and provide an alternative form of engagement during the celebration period.
Alongside the programme, the resort has launched an “Eid Island Escape” offer, which includes a range of inclusions for guests staying during the period. These include a 30-minute jet lag recovery massage, daily breakfast at Raha Market, dinner on a dine-around basis across selected restaurants, and a one-time floating breakfast experience.
In a statement, the resort’s management said the programme is intended to reflect the values of togetherness and reflection associated with Eid al-Adha, while offering guests opportunities to spend time with family and participate in shared experiences.
Through the three-day programme, Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort is presenting Eid al-Adha as a combination of dining, leisure and cultural activities within a resort environment.
Featured
Reethi Faru Resort awarded Green Globe certification
Reethi Faru Resort has received Green Globe certification, recognising its compliance with international standards for sustainable tourism.
The certification reflects the resort’s stated commitment to responsible hospitality, with a focus on environmental management, social responsibility and operational practices across the property.
Green Globe certification is awarded following an assessment based on established sustainability criteria and verified through independent third-party audits. The standard reviews performance in areas including environmental management, energy efficiency, resource conservation, community engagement and sustainable operations.
With the certification, Reethi Faru Resort joins a group of hospitality operators worldwide that have met Green Globe’s sustainability requirements and demonstrated an ongoing commitment to improvement in tourism practices.
In a statement, the management of Reethi Faru Resort said the recognition reflects the resort’s continued focus on preserving the natural environment of the Maldives while maintaining the guest experience. The management added that sustainability forms part of the resort’s daily operations.
The Green Globe standard includes more than 40 core criteria supported by over 380 compliance indicators, providing a framework for assessing sustainability performance in the hospitality sector.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks loyalty week with member and staff recognition
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is marking IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, a group-wide initiative recognising IHG One Rewards members and the employees who contribute to guest experiences across the brand.
The observance will take place from 11 to 17 May 2026 and is aligned with IHG’s wider theme of “bringing loyalty to life”, focusing on guest recognition and service-led engagement.
As the Maldives’ first all-Club InterContinental resort, InterContinental Maldives is using the occasion to highlight its emphasis on personalised service and guest recognition. During the week, the resort will present a series of experiences and gestures intended to acknowledge IHG One Rewards members through tailored hospitality touches.
A central feature of the programme will be “Member Moments”, which are designed to reflect guest preferences, milestones and individual travel experiences. These will include personalised welcome arrangements, selected in-room amenities, culinary offerings and family-focused gestures.
The resort will also use the week to recognise its employees, whose service contributes to guest loyalty and repeat visits. Under its “Inspire Incredible” service culture, InterContinental Maldives will hold staff appreciation activities and internal recognition initiatives during the week.
Commenting on the occasion, General Manager Reinhold Johann said the initiative highlights the importance of making guests feel recognised and welcomed, while also acknowledging the role of employees in delivering those experiences.
Through IHG One Rewards, members have access to benefits and travel privileges across more than 6,800 hotels worldwide. At InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, these benefits are integrated into the resort’s all-Club InterContinental offering, which combines personalised service with resort-based experiences in Raa Atoll.
Through its participation in IHG Global Loyalty Week 2026, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is positioning guest recognition and service culture as key elements of its hospitality approach.
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