News
Korean Air begins scheduled flights to the Maldives
Maldives Promotion House – Korean Air has started scheduled flights from Korea to the Maldives. First flight to Maldives KE473 arrived on Sunday morning with the rising sun. Aircraft was welcomed with traditional water cannon salute by fire tenders and arriving passengers were greeted by officials from Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (MMPRC) and travel industry.
South Korean flag carrier will fly, 3-day-a-week service on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from Seoul’s Incheon International Airport to the Malé’s Ibrahim Nasir International Airport via Colombo.
Flights leave Seoul at 10:40pm and arrive Malé at 6:40am after one hour stop in Colombo. On the return they leave Malé at 15:30pm and arrive in Colombo at 17:30; then the flight will depart from Colombo at 18:50 and arrive in Seoul/Incheon at 06:10 the next day. Tickets prices start from USD 750 for round trip.
Korean Air’s new Seoul/Incheon-Colombo-Male route is operated with an Airbus 330-300, seating 276 passengers and equipped with Korean Air’s premium seats. First Class has 6 Sleeper Seats; the 180 degree full-flat beds with 83-inch pitch and 20.6-inch width guaranteeing comfort and freedom during the flight. The Prestige (business) Class has 18 full-flat sleepers with 74-inch pitch and extra-large seat partitions offering comfort and privacy. Passengers in all classes can enjoy the new AVOD(Audio & Video on Demand) system that offers upgraded in-flight entertainment in high resolution and with top processing speed.
“It is a great pleasure for me to announce that Korean Air has restarted its service to Sri Lanka and has also extended the route so that it now flies to the Maldives. I hope that Korean Air’s new service to Colombo and Male will pave the way for an increased exchange in passenger traffic between the nations and create economic benefits between Korea and countries in the Indian Ocean, including with Sri Lanka and the Maldives,” said Chang Hoon Chi, Korean Air’s President & Chief Operating Officer.
Korean Air added that the new service would serve to “enhance the relationship between Korea and countries in the Indian Ocean, and help improve Korea’s ties to the region”.
Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd, operating as Korean Air, is the largest airline and flag carrier of South Korea. Its global headquarters are located in Seoul. Korean Air’s international passenger division and related subsidiary cargo division are also based in Seoul. According to its corporate website the airline serves 106 cities in 39 countries, while its domestic division serves 13 cities in Korea. It is among the top 20 airlines in the world in terms of passengers carried.
Incheon International Airport serves as Korean Air’s international hub. Korean Air also maintains a satellite headquarters campus at Incheon. Korean Air was founded by the South Korean Government in 1969 as Korean Air Lines to replace Korean National Airlines (founded in 1948 and indicated in 1929). As of November 2012 the Korean Air has 149 aircrafts.
Maldives is considered the one of the favourite destination for honeymoon by Koreans.
Action
Eri Maldives offers accessible reef diving and snorkelling
Eri Maldives is located within the waters of North Malé Atoll and is surrounded by a house reef accessible to both beginner and experienced divers. With four direct reef entry points and shore access, the resort offers opportunities for snorkelling, introductory dives and certified diving.
The house reef supports a range of marine life, including white-tip and black-tip reef sharks, nurse sharks, hawksbill turtles, mobula rays and spotted eagle rays, as well as schools of reef fish. The accessibility of the reef allows guests to explore the area over multiple days, providing opportunities to observe marine behaviour and habitats over time.
Turtle encounters
Hawksbill turtles are among the most frequently observed species on the reef. The resort’s dive team has identified 14 individual turtles, each recognised by shell patterns and physical features. These include turtles known as Rosie, Cara and Anna, which have been documented through repeated sightings.
The resort maintains records of these turtles, allowing returning guests to identify individuals over time. Guests may also contribute to this initiative by naming newly identified turtles that have not previously been recorded.
Manta ray season
From December to April, manta rays are known to visit cleaning stations at Bodu Hithi Thila, located approximately one hour by boat from the resort. During this period, ocean conditions support plankton flows that attract mantas to the area, where they can be observed feeding or visiting cleaning stations.
Night diving experiences
Night snorkelling and diving activities provide a different perspective on reef activity. Species such as reef sharks, trevallies, moray eels and nurse sharks become more active after dark, offering guests the opportunity to observe nocturnal marine behaviour.
At Eri Maldives, marine experiences form a central part of the guest offering, with the house reef providing consistent opportunities for exploration. The resort’s dive programme is designed to support repeated interaction with the marine environment, allowing guests to experience a range of underwater activity throughout their stay.
Accommodation is available in studio and beach villa categories, with full board packages offered for direct bookings, subject to availability.
Action
Sirru Fen Fushi hosts football programme with Marcus Allbäck
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort has announced another successful edition of the Sirru Icon Series, a week-long programme that brought international sporting energy, youth inspiration, and meaningful community connection to this private lagoon paradise.
Held from 27 March to 3 April, the initiative welcomed former Swedish professional footballer Marcus Allbäck, whose presence made the week truly exceptional for guests, young aspiring players, and the neighbouring island community. Marcus Allbäck is a celebrated former Swedish international striker, having played 74 games for his country, scoring 30 goals. He represented Sweden in three European Championships and two World Cups, and enjoyed a distinguished club career across Europe, including the Bundesliga, Serie A, the English Premier League, the Dutch Eredivisie, and the UEFA Champions League. Following his retirement, Marcus served as assistant coach for the Swedish national team for six years. Today, he continues to inspire the next generation of footballers, working as a player agent and advisor to help aspiring players achieve their dreams. His visit highlighted the power of sport not only as entertainment, but as a bridge for cultural exchange and social impact. This reflected the resort’s ongoing commitment to purposeful, community-centred initiatives.

Throughout the week, Marcus led a line-up of engaging activities, including friendly football matches with guests, dedicated junior football camps that fostered confidence and skill-building among young participants, and a memorable visit to a nearby local island. This local-island match stood out as a meaningful moment of connection, bringing the resort and community together through shared passion and friendly competition.
Guests also enjoyed an intimate Sirru Signature Sunset Cocktail, where they had the rare opportunity to meet Marcus in person, hear stories from his international career, and enjoy a relaxed, uplifting atmosphere against the backdrop of the resort’s iconic sunsets.

Programme Highlights:
- Friendly Football Matches–A fun and energetic opportunity for guests to play alongside an international football figure.
- Junior Football Camps –Inspiring sessions focused on youth development, teamwork, and confidence-building.
- Local Island Football Match – A memorable moment on the local island Milandhoo, celebrating the power of sport to bring resort guests and the local community together.
- Meet & Greet Sunset Cocktail – An exclusive experience offering direct interaction with Marcus and inspiring conversation.
The Sirru Icon Series reflects the resort’s dedication to creating exceptional experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality, pairing luxury with purpose and offering guests opportunities to connect, learn, and create lifelong memories.

This remarkable week marked an inspiring chapter of the Sirru Icon Series, with more unique programmes planned for the future to continue delivering immersive guest experiences at Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort.
For further information and reservations, please visit sirrufenfushi.com or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents a new chapter in destination dining with the launch of its Secret Garden concept, a thoughtfully designed experience that brings guests into a secluded setting surrounded by nature, soft lighting, and carefully curated details.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, Secret Garden is created for those moments that deserve more than a traditional dinner. The space is styled with flowing drapes, warm candlelight, and natural greenery, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels both personal and special. It is a setting that invites guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
At the centre of the experience is a seven-course menu, crafted to guide guests through a balanced journey of flavours. Each course is presented with care, with live cooking moments adding a sense of theatre and interaction throughout the evening. The service remains attentive yet discreet, allowing the experience to feel seamless and uninterrupted.
Guests can choose between two tailored offerings. The Romantic Escape focuses on the dining experience itself, complemented by a beautifully arranged setup and personalised service. For those looking to extend the evening, the Ultimate Romance Experience adds thoughtful touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, a private cinema moment under the open sky, in-villa breakfast the next day, and special bed decoration to complete the occasion.
The concept also allows for additional customisation, from floral arrangements to bespoke messages and decorative details, giving guests the flexibility to shape the evening around their celebration, whether it is a birthday, proposal, or simply a meaningful time together.
With Secret Garden, Kuredhivaru continues to expand its dining experiences beyond traditional venues, offering guests something more personal and immersive. It reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, where every detail is considered, and each experience is designed to feel natural, effortless, and quietly memorable.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 6563000.
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