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Virgin Atlantic inaugurates direct flights from London Heathrow to the Maldives

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Today, Virgin Atlantic launched its latest direct flight route, linking London Heathrow to the Maldives. The inaugural flight, operated by Virgin Atlantic, touched down at VIA early this morning at 07:40 am local time, signifying the commencement of an exciting new era in air travel between the United Kingdom and the Maldives. Passengers aboard the Virgin Atlantic aircraft were greeted with a warm traditional Maldivian Bodeberu welcome ceremony, featuring captivating cultural dance performances.

This new service is set to operate three times a week, with Virgin Atlantic’s state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which boasts a total of 31 Upper Class, 35 Premium, and 192 Economy Delight, Classic, and Light seats. Travelers will have a range of options to suit their preferences and budgets.

For those seeking the utmost in luxury, Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class offers fully flat beds and an onboard bar, providing a fine dining experience and an opportunity to network with fellow travelers. Premium customers can relax in their luxurious leather armchairs, complete with a 38” seat pitch, and enjoy the perks of priority boarding and welcome drinks. Regardless of the cabin class chosen, all passengers will enjoy complimentary food and beverages, over 300 hours of entertainment, and a warm welcome from Virgin Atlantic’s renowned cabin crew.

Mr. Mahjoob Shujau, CEO & Managing Director of MACL, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “As the operator of Velana International Airport, we are excited to welcome the prestigious and customer-centric airline, Virgin Atlantic. This inaugural flight marks a significant milestone in the enhancement of air travel connections between the United Kingdom and the Maldives. We look forward to a prosperous partnership with Virgin Atlantic as we continue to elevate the travel experience for our passengers.”

Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic, shared his excitement, saying, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to launch our flights between the United Kingdom and the Maldives with our new thrice-weekly service, as we continue to expand our growing collection of winter sun destinations. We are proud to be able to offer more opportunities for our customers to experience the Maldives and are looking forward to welcoming them to this breathtaking and one-of-a-kind destination. The collaboration between MACL and Virgin Atlantic reflects the shared commitment to delivering exceptional travel experiences and fostering stronger air connectivity between the United Kingdom and the Maldives.”

Caron Rohsler, British High Commissioner to the Maldives, also expressed her delight, stating, “I am delighted that Virgin Atlantic has today started operating direct flights from London Heathrow to Maldives. Maldives is a top holiday destination for British tourists. Brits have consistently featured among top 3 nationalities visiting Maldives for many years. The UK Government has worked with the Government of Maldives for many years now on airport safety and aviation security. I look forward to continuing our partnerships in Maldives, especially as the airport expansion progresses. Tourism is an important pillar of the Maldivian economy, and I hope this milestone today will contribute to continued growth in convenient and comfortable travel between our countries. Visitors are encouraged to read the FCDO’s travel advice and to buy travel insurance to enjoy the best possible holiday experience.”

The Virgin Atlantic Inaugural event was attended by the British High Commissioner to the Maldives and senior members of MACL, along with senior members of the local agent, Voyages Maldives. This new route promises to strengthen the connection between the United Kingdom and the Maldives, offering travelers a remarkable journey to one of the world’s most picturesque destinations.

Awards

Constance Halaveli Maldives secures top 10 spot in Condé Nast Traveller Indian Ocean rankings

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Constance Halaveli Maldives has been ranked 10th among the Top 25 Resorts in the Indian Ocean at the Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, joining three other Constance Hotels & Resorts properties recognised in this year’s international rankings.

The recognition places Constance Halaveli among the Indian Ocean resorts selected by readers of the British travel publication, reflecting the resort’s standing in the luxury hospitality sector.

The award forms part of wider international recognition for Constance Hospitality, with four properties across its Indian Ocean portfolio securing positions in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards published by Condé Nast Traveller UK and Condé Nast Traveler.

In the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 – World Resorts rankings, two of the group’s properties in Seychelles were recognised, with Constance Lémuria securing 13th place and Constance Ephelia ranking 17th among the Top 20 Resorts in the Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile, Constance Tsarabanjina Madagascar was ranked 12th among the Top 15 Resorts in the Rest of Africa category.

According to Constance Hospitality, the recognition across its portfolio reflects the individual character of each destination and the group’s emphasis on personalised service, authenticity and experiences connected to local surroundings.

Headquartered in Mauritius, Constance Hospitality operates properties across the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues and Madagascar. Its flagship brand, Constance Hotels & Resorts, follows the True by Nature philosophy, with a portfolio comprising luxury resorts, lodges and boutique hotels across the Indian Ocean.

The Readers’ Choice Awards recognise hotels, resorts and travel experiences across international destinations, with rankings determined by votes from readers.

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Awards

Ocean Group Maldives wins Leading Dive Centre/Brand at South Asian Travel Awards

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Ocean Group Maldives has announced that it has been named the Leading Dive Centre/Brand at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA) 2026, recognising the company’s longstanding commitment to excellence in diving and ocean experiences.

The prestigious regional accolade celebrates excellence across South Asia’s travel, tourism and hospitality industry and marks an important milestone for Ocean Group, which has been creating and operating ocean experiences since 1998.

For nearly three decades, Ocean Group has worked alongside leading resort partners to deliver professionally managed dive programmes, combining international standards, experienced multilingual PADI-certified professionals, high standards of safety and service, and an enduring passion for the ocean.

Hussain Zahid, Founder and CEO of Ocean Group Maldives, said: “To be recognised as the Leading Dive Centre/Brand at SATA 2026 is an incredible honour for all of us at Ocean Group. This award belongs to our teams across our dive centres — the instructors, dive masters, boat crews, technicians and everyone behind the scenes whose professionalism and passion make our guests’ experiences possible every day. We founded Ocean Group with a love for the ocean and a belief that extraordinary experiences should always be delivered with expertise, safety and care. Nearly three decades later, those principles remain at the heart of everything we do.”

Ocean Group’s dive operations are supported by experienced teams working across luxury resort destinations, with all centres operating under the supervision of Moosa Zahid, Director of Operations & Sales and a VDWS-certified watersports trainer.

From introducing guests to their first underwater experience to guiding experienced divers through some of the Indian Ocean’s most remarkable marine environments, Ocean Group places professional instruction, personalised service and responsible interaction with the marine environment at the centre of its diving philosophy.

The company’s wider expertise encompasses watersports, excursions, yachting and marine biology, allowing resort partners to offer an integrated portfolio of ocean experiences through a single experienced operator.

Marine conservation is also an increasingly important part of Ocean Group’s operations, with marine biologists working alongside resort partners on coral restoration, marine education and conservation initiatives.

Yasmin Zahid, Director of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships at Ocean Group Maldives, said: “This recognition is especially meaningful because it celebrates what has always been at the heart of Ocean Group — our people. Our teams come from different parts of the world, speak different languages and bring tremendous experience to their roles, but they share one thing: a genuine passion for creating exceptional experiences for our guests. We are immensely proud of them and grateful to our resort partners for the trust they place in Ocean Group. This award inspires us to continue raising the bar as we look towards the next chapter of our journey.”

The SATA 2026 recognition comes as Ocean Group continues to evolve its portfolio of ocean experiences and strengthen its partnerships within the luxury hospitality sector.

While its roots remain firmly in the Maldives, the company’s ambition extends beyond geography: to bring its expertise, operating standards and philosophy of exceptional ocean experiences to new destinations and partnerships.

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Awards

Kandooma Maldives wins Leading Family Resort award at SATA 2026

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Last night (8 October), Kandooma Maldives was named Leading Family Resort at the South Asian Travel Awards (SATA), a title that perfectly matches the resort’s focus on families.

“The timing of this award couldn’t be better,” said Andrew Drummond, General Manager of Kandooma Maldives. “It recognises our commitment to family holidays, but we also know that you can’t stand still. Family expectations change, and we have to keep evolving with them.”

“Whether it is the little ones who enjoy the kids’ club and, for some, a newfound independence from mum and dad or the opportunity to build memories together as a family through shared activities, Kandooma really is a great destination.”

Andrew explains that it is easy to sit still, but that’s not how the resort is winning over families: “I think it is our effort to keep evolving. Recently we realised there was a gap in the family offering that needed a bit more attention, so we have turned our eyes to tweens. It is sometimes a balancing act where young adults are craving independence, the freedom to explore, socialise and make their own choices, while parents still need reassurance that their kids are safe and well looked after.”

“They’re not kids who love going off to the Kids’ Club and they are not yet adults who are content lounging by the pool. We’re focusing on finding a way to engage 13- to 18-year-olds and give them a great holiday. At Kandooma we haven’t forgotten them.”

Villa options at Kandooma cater to different stages of family life, from Beach and Garden Villas with space for additional beds and interconnecting options, to Beach Houses suited to younger families and two- and three-bedroom accommodation for larger or extended families.

At Kandooma kids under 13 stay and eat free and it is one of the reasons young families keep returning to the 146-villa property in South Male Atoll, together with easy accessibility from Velana International Airport by speedboat.

“As a father myself, I understand that travelling with a family can be complicated enough without adding unnecessary steps to the journey,” Andrew said.

“Seaplane transfers can mean additional costs and luggage restrictions. At Kandooma, families can be met by our airport team, have their luggage taken care of and be escorted to their boat for a straightforward transfer to the island. When you’ve travelled a long way to reach the Maldives, these things really matter.”

The South Asian Travel Awards celebrated its tenth anniversary last night, recognising stand-out tourism businesses across India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Kandooma Maldives is an experience-led, all-inclusive island resort located in the South Malé Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport. Designed with families, couples, friends and active travellers in mind, the resort features 146 villas across garden, beach and overwater settings, including family villas and multi-bedroom accommodation with private pools.

The Kandooma experience is brought together through five signatures: Kandooma Blue, Kandooma Table, Kandooma Flow, Kandooma Social and Kandooma Ways, spanning ocean adventure, dining, wellbeing, social experiences and Maldivian culture. Facilities include Kandooma Spa by COMO Shambhala, a PADI 5-Star Dive Centre, Perfect Wave Surf Shop, Kandoo Kids’ Club, watersports, a 24-hour gym, restaurants and bars, event and meeting facilities and a changing programme of complimentary and bookable activities, live entertainment and island experiences. Kandooma Maldives is Green Globe Certified.

Visit www.kandooma-maldives.com.

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