News
Emirates, Maldivian establish interline partnership
Emirates and Maldivian on Thursday announced an interline partnership, enabling Emirates customers to access 16 popular holiday destinations in the Maldives beyond Male.
The agreement successfully follows on from last year’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two airlines, to explore opportunities for mutual cooperation.
The interline agreement will create more options for Emirates customers when travelling to the Maldivian archipelago, utilising both carriers’ services and networks on a single ticket while also enhancing the customer experience throughout the journey.
Customers travelling to exotic island destinations in the Maldives will now be able to reap the benefit of flying into more popular holiday spots after connecting easily and seamlessly from Velana International Airport in the North Male atoll. Emirates passengers will link to Maldivian’s services to reach a choice of domestic points for their island getaway.
From 15 September, travel itineraries can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates mobile app, or preferred travel agents, for flights effective immediately.
“We are delighted to establish a partnership with Maldivian, to expand our reach into more points in the Maldives. By partnering with the Maldivian flag carrier, we are able to offer customers smooth connections when flying to a wide choice of islands within the country via Malé. By extending this added-value benefit, our customers from across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Americas can plan their journey to the Maldives with the convenience of booking flights on a single ticket to reach their final destination,” Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, said.
Emirates customers can fly to airports in a selection of the popular atolls via Male including Dharavandhoo Island (DRV), Faresmathoda Airport (FMT), Funadhoo Airport (FND), Fuvahmulak Island Airport (FVM), Gan Island International (GAN), Kooddoo Island (GKK), Hanimaadhoo Island Airport (HAQ), Kulhudhuffushi Airport (HDK), Hoarafushi Airport (HRF), Kaadedhdhoo Island Airport (KDM), Kadhdhoo Island (KDO), Madivaru Airport (LMV), Maafaru International Airport (NMF), Maavarulu Airport (RUL), Thimarafushi Airport (TMF), and Ifuru (IFU).
Furthermore, customers spending their holidays at other resort islands can also enjoy the convenience of travelling to the closest point in the interline network and are within reach of their final destination with only a short ride, by seaplane or boat.
As the partnership between both airlines evolves, more benefits and conveniences will be added to enhance the customer experience when travelling to the Maldives.
“We are excited to embark on this journey with Emirates, a global aviation leader. This partnership would enable us to increase the visibility of our extensive domestic network and it aligns perfectly with our objective of providing seamless connectivity to travellers. Customers will be able to plan and book their entire journey directly through the airline with ease. As the national carrier we always strive to make Maldives more accessible to travellers from around the world and we believe the partnership with Emirates will strengthen our position as the leading airline in Maldives,” Ibrahim Hamdhan Mohamed, General Manager – Commercial at Maldivian, said.
Emirates has supported the development and growth of tourism as well as trade in the Maldives for more than three and a half decades. The award-winning global airline commenced operations to Male in 1987 and now operates 28 flights a week between Dubai and the Maldives. With a choice of four flights per day to Male, customers from across Emirates’ network of almost 140 points have the flexibility to choose flights and enjoy the convenience of minimal connection times.
Through its 29 codeshare, 11 Intermodal and 117 interline partners, Emirates boasts a global footprint that encompasses destinations far beyond its own network, offering increased connectivity and convenient options for travellers.
Love
Experience an island of endless firsts at Kandima Maldives
Kandima Maldives invites you to celebrate love in all its beautiful forms this February 2025, set against a backdrop of azure waters and swaying palm trees. Step beyond the ordinary and immerse yourself in a world of exciting adventures and delightful surprises with the Kandima’s “An Island of Endless Firsts” Valentine’s Day programme. Whether it’s romantic love, cherished friendships, or self-love, discover endless ways to connect, explore, and craft unforgettable memories in this refreshingly playful paradise.
Rev up the romance and fuel your love story at Fast Track, Kandima’s thrilling new entertainment attraction. Experience love in the fast lane as you and your partner race head-to-head on the ocean-front karting track in an unforgettable challenge. The exclusive Valentine’s Combo treats you to 30 minutes of high-speed excitement, topped off with a playful photo session to capture your shared joy and laughter. For couples with a competitive streak, the Couple Karting Mini Grand Prix on Valentine’s Day is your chance to win a complimentary 10-minute karting session. Get ready to race, laugh, and fall in love all over again!
For couples craving a secluded, Kandima’s own Lover’s Island Castaway Retreat, where you and your partner can enjoy a secluded private island with a sun-drenched beach all to yourselves. Indulge in a chilled bottle of bubbly and a fresh fruit basket as you soak in the romance of this idyllic hideaway. For those seeking adventure, Kandima offers captivating marine explorations, including a sunset cruise. Choose between a lively group experience or the intimacy of a private yacht, complete with a curated selection of delicious drinks and canapés. As the sun dips below the horizon, keep an eye out for the magical encounters with turtles, dolphins, and other fascinating marine life.
Take your love to new heights with Kandima’s Romantic Fly-Away aerial experience at Aquaholics. Soar together on a mesmerising parasailing adventure during the golden sunset hour, from 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM. As you ascend, marvel at the Maldives’ stunning lagoons below, bathed in vibrant hues as the sun dips into the horizon.
As night falls, cosy up for a Movie Under the Stars, complete with a chilled bottle of bubbly and cupid-mix popcorn. For couples not ready to call it a night, Forbidden Bar Beach’s DJ-spun Afterparty will keep the sparks flying till midnight. Don’t forget to join the Valentine’s 3D Hand Casting workshop before you leave. Craft a unique ornament of you and your partner’s intertwined hands, an adorable keepsake for your unforgettable Kandima experience to take home.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Picture-Perfect Picnic by Aroma Lake, where a camera-ready hamper awaits. Filled with Prosecco, savoury snacks, and delightful goodies. Sip on thematic Cupid’s Cocktails throughout the day at Breeze Bar &
Beach Club or, surprise your partner with a heart-shaped Red Velvet cake and speciality coffee at Aroma and Deli, a limited-time item on the menu.
As the evening unfolds, indulge in a fiery Valentine’s BBQ at Zest Beach, where romance meets culinary delight. Savour a delectable set menu under a starlit sky, beginning with fresh oysters and a pre-dinner cocktail, complemented by a bottle of Prosecco with a gourmet dining experience, all with spectacular sea views as the perfect backdrop.
End your day with ultimate pampering at EsKape Spa’s Romantic Retreat, a luxurious 120-minute journey designed for couples. Begin with a soothing signature foot ritual, followed by a full-body massage and rejuvenating Indian head massage that dissolves deep tension and stress. Immerse yourself in a fresh coconut body polish and tropical flower bath, complete with sparkling wine for the perfect toast to love and future adventures. Surprise your loved one with an immersive in-room romantic set up complete with a personalised message. With just 48 hours’ notice, Kandima’s Krew can transform your bed with a blanket of rose petals, or completely transform your villa into a lover’s haven with bespoke top-to-toe villa décor.
At Kandima, love isn’t limited to February. With the LuvPerk offering, celebrate Birthdays, anniversaries, or romantic getaways of three and seven nights up. Delight your loved one with special touches like a sumptuous floating breakfast served on your private deck or a magical candlelit dinner on the beach. Whether it’s February or any time of the year, Kandima is where love gets playful, adventurous, and endlessly exciting. Come for the thrills, stay for the feels!
Have a look at the detailed Valentines programme here: An Island of endless firsts.
Lead-in rates for a stay at Kandima in February 2025 start from $300/night++ for a Studio and from $515/night++ for a Beach Villa, book direct online for extra savings and discounts on water sports, excursions, spa and many tailored options as per your travel needs.
Drink
Atmosphere Core partners with Italy’s award-winning Prosecco Bottega
Atmosphere Core, a leading figure in the hospitality industry, has announced a unique collaboration with award-winning Italian lifestyle winery Bottega SpA. A 4th generation family estate which first started producing grappa in the 17th century, Bottega presents an enviable portfolio of wines and liqueurs, made world-famous by its iconic GOLD Prosecco DOC.
Driven by shared core values of quality, authenticity, distinctive design, and all-encompassing service styles, this innovative partnership is set to inspire a new wave of wine hospitality in the Maldives. On top of direct product shipments from the Bottega estates for the supply of wines solely to its 9 private-island resorts, Atmosphere Core will also introduce South Asia’s first Bottega Prosecco Bar, a concept created by Sandro Bottega himself to enhance and share Italy’s great wine, genuine food and convivial lifestyle, offering travellers from around the globe a taste of true Italian sparkling life in highly fashionable environments.
Testimony to the quality and popularity of Bottega labels, the family’s estates have won more than 450 awards and accolades with their products now available in over 160 countries worldwide. In 2022, IWRS reported Bottega’s GOLD Prosecco DOC as the top-selling sparkling wine in the Duty-Free channel world-wide.
Commenting on the new collaboration with Bottega, Atmosphere Core Group Managing Director, Salil Panigrahi, stated, “We are committed to providing the best possible guest experiences, and meticulously curate the culinary journeys within our resorts to offer the highest quality of authentic food and beverage concepts, so our guests can return home with life-long memories. We can only achieve this by collaborating with the most dynamic wine producers in the world, and our announcement to partner with Bottega SpA in 2025 is a landmark moment for our company. I wish to personally thank Mr Sandro Bottega for granting Atmosphere Core this opportunity which goes beyond the presence of his labels in our resorts, but also provides us with an exciting platform to explore new immersive lifestyle hospitality concepts”.
With the intent set firmly on growing wine culture, Atmosphere Core regularly hosts partner winemakers and winery owners at its Maldives resorts to lead exclusive and immersive masterclasses for guests, while reciprocating this exchange with wine partners sponsoring resort colleagues to travel and visit their vineyards across the world.
Sandro Bottega, President and CEO of Bottega SpA, comments, “I’m proud to start a partnership with such a prestigious hospitality group as Atmosphere Core. Our main aim is to bring the Italian oenological culture to South Asia. Maldives is a luxury destination, that embraces the same values of quality and elegance of our flagship product: Bottega GOLD Prosecco DOC. Furthermore, we hope to also introduce our Bottega 0 Rosé and White, both without alcohol, they offer the same consumption rituality of the sparkling wines, respecting teetotallers and all those who, for any reason, choose to be cautious in their consumption of alcohol. I’m also excited of the opportunity to open a branded Bottega Prosecco Bar, that will represent an ambassador for Italian cuisine in the islands”.
Wine enthusiasts, global travellers, and valued partners can look forward to a year-round calendar of enriching and immersive wine-focused experiences that embody Atmosphere Core’s commitment to exceptional hospitality and authentic storytelling, fostering genuine connections between guests and partner wineries from 1er Cru Champagne, Stellenbosch, Galicia, the Canary Islands and now Italy.
Love
Root your love story at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives
Planting a tree is more than just placing roots in the earth—it’s a promise of growth, a symbol of nurturing bonds, and a gesture that carries hope for the future. At Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, guests are invited to make this timeless act part of their most treasured moments. Whether celebrating a proposal, renewing vows, or marking a special milestone, planting a palm tree at the resort transforms these personal celebrations into a meaningful contribution to the island’s ecosystem.
A guest at the resort recently found the experience profoundly personal: “planting a palm tree here felt like rooting a part of our love story in paradise. Every time we think of our tree, we’ll remember this beautiful place and the promise of a greener future.”
The initiative is more than just a sentimental experience but a call to action. As one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, the Maldives faces mounting challenges from rising sea levels and coastal erosion. Palm trees, with their deep root systems, play a crucial role in stabilising the soil and protecting shorelines, making them essential in safeguarding the islands for future generations.
This ethos aligns seamlessly with the Maldives’ national “5 Million Trees Planting Programme,” launched on World Environment Day 2024. With over 450,936 trees already planted as of December 2024, the programme reflects the nation’s dedication to combating climate change.
At the heart of this initiative is Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to sustainability through its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy. The palm tree planting activity at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives is not merely an offering for guests but a conscious effort to educate and involve them in the preservation of the Maldives’ delicate ecosystem.
Rajeeva Rajapakse, General Manager of Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, expressed the importance of this initiative: “We want every guest to feel connected—not just to our island but to the values we stand for. When they plant a tree here, they aren’t just creating a memory; they’re joining us in shaping a more sustainable future for the Maldives.”
This unique opportunity allows guests to leave more than footprints in the sand. Every tree planted is a story, a contribution, and a step towards making tourism more responsible. It’s a chance to take home the knowledge that even small actions—like planting a palm tree—can ripple out into a lasting impact.
So, whether you’re celebrating love, life, or simply the joy of being in paradise, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives offers a way to turn your moments into legacies. Root your story here, and let it grow for years to come.
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