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.
Cooking
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort welcomes Chef Renzi Gianluca for Tastemaker series collaboration
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues its celebrated Tastemaker Series with an exclusive culinary collaboration featuring acclaimed Italian Chef Renzi Gianluca. Taking place across three days, the immersive experience invites guests to discover Chef Gianluca’s contemporary interpretation of Italian gastronomy through thoughtfully curated dining moments and an interactive masterclass.
The collaboration will be highlighted by two intimate guest dinners on 21 January 2026 and 23 January 2026, where Chef Gianluca will present a bespoke menu inspired by his culinary heritage, seasonal ingredients, and refined technique. On 22 January 2026, guests are invited to deepen their appreciation of Italian cuisine during an exclusive masterclass led by the chef, offering insight into his creative philosophy and signature approach.
Set on a private island in the Dhaalu Atoll, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is renowned for its striking architecture, secluded villas, and exceptional dining experiences. The resort is home to a diverse culinary portfolio, including Alba, its signature Italian restaurant; Orientale, celebrating Asian flavours; the overwater Whale Bar; and Cargo, a destination for Indian Ocean-inspired cuisine under the stars. Each venue reflects the brand’s commitment to refined craftsmanship, immersive storytelling, and memorable moments at the table.
Chef Renzi Gianluca’s residency builds upon the resort’s ongoing Tastemaker Series, which has recently welcomed distinguished culinary talents such as Chef Gregory Doyen, Chef Alexander Herrmann, and Chef Jolly. These collaborations underscore The St. Regis Maldives’ position as a leading epicurean destination, offering guests rare access to globally celebrated chefs and elevated gastronomic experiences in an extraordinary setting.
With its seamless blend of luxury, culture, and culinary artistry, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort continues to redefine destination dining in the Indian Ocean.
For more information and details, please visit www.stregismaldives.com.
Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli awarded ‘Best Resort’ title at 2025 Bund Design Hotels Awards
Sun Siyam Iru Veli was honored with the coveted ‘Best Resort’ title at the 17th annual ‘Stylish Escape’ Bund Design Hotels Awards, during a prestigious ceremony held on 3rd December at Shanghai’s former Hendricks Institute on the North Bund. The accolade places the resort among a select group of properties shaping the future of design-led hospitality.
Presented by The Bund Media, an influential voice in the industry for over two decades, the award is celebrated as a definitive barometer for hotel design and innovation. The event, which also marked the launch of the new MILESTONE Landmark Awards, gathered over one hundred distinguished guests from the global architecture, design, and art communities.
The award recognises Sun Siyam Iru Veli’s exceptional contribution to redefining modern hospitality. The resort masterfully embodies the spirit of contemporary design, seamlessly blending commercial vitality, artistic ambiance, and a rich humanistic fabric. Its revolutionary approach to aesthetics has set a new standard for what constitutes an asset of lasting beauty.
“We are honoured by this recognition,” said Masdhooq Saeed, General Manager of Sun Siyam Iru Veli. “Here, nature defines the architecture. The island’s beaches, vegetation, and reef form the heart of the design, with every structure shaped to enhance, not overshadow, its surroundings. Our team is deeply committed to preserving this balance, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the island.”
True to its philosophy, Sun Siyam Iru Veli offers guests an intimate island hideaway in a breathtakingly boutique setting. As a quintessential spot to relax, recharge, and reconnect, the resort stands as a beacon of thoughtful, human-centric design in the heart of the Maldives.
Action
Denise Höfer returns to The Nautilus Maldives for four-day padel programme in March 2026
The Nautilus Maldives is set to welcome back Denise Höfer, Germany’s No. 1 padel player and a leading global ambassador of the sport, for a renewed edition of its Masters for Masters series, taking place from 25 to 28 March 2026. This four-day programme invites families, couples and players of every level to discover Padel as a joyful shared adventure, guided by one of the world’s most inspiring Padel athletes.
Padel has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, celebrated for its accessibility and its ability to bring people together. Fast, intuitive and inherently social, it is the perfect sport for parents and children, partners and friends. With its playful nature and quick learning curve, Padel creates rare moments where beginners and seasoned players can genuinely enjoy the game side by side.
In this spirit, The Nautilus presents a Padel Masterclass shaped by connection. Whether learning your first rally with your partner, watching your children gain confidence on the court, or joining a spirited group session with fellow travellers, the programme transforms play into an experience of shared joy and discovery.
Guests will train with Denise Höfer across a curated line up of classes. Tailored, on-demand experiences including Couples Escape, Family Fun, Cardio Padel and Padel × Wellness invite guests to hyper-personalise their journey, blending movement with mindfulness, and performance with light hearted enjoyment. Complimentary daily sessions feature a Group Masterclass and a Children’s Masterclass, each thoughtfully crafted to suit different learning styles and skill levels.
After energising mornings on the court, guests can retreat to Solasta Spa for treatments inspired by natural flow and deep release. Personalised massages, stretching rituals and ocean-influenced therapies provide a gentle counterbalance to the day’s activities, inviting both body and mind to settle into a state of restoration. The experience becomes a soothing rhythm of movement, rest and reconnection, perfectly aligned with the private island’s unhurried philosophy.
With just 26 ultra-luxury houses and residences in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, The Nautilus offers the ideal setting for meaningful time together. Days unfold freely, guided not by schedules but by the simple desire to savour each moment. Whether learning a new skill as a family, sharing a playful match at sunset, or cheering one another from the sidelines, every experience becomes part of a memory shaped by spontaneity and warmth.
The Padel Masterclass with Denise Höfer invites guests to discover more than technique. It offers a chance to bond, to grow and to reconnect with the joy of learning something new together. At The Nautilus, this journey is shaped not by rules, but by the freedom to follow your own rhythm.
Denise Höfer, Germany’s No. 1 Padel Player, shares: “I’m thrilled to be returning to The Nautilus for this special edition of its Masters for Masters series. The Nautilus’s Padel court is truly one of my favourites in the world: it’s incredible setting and stunning lagoon views create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else. I can’t wait to share this unique experience with The Nautilus guests once again.”
Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus Maldives, adds: “We are delighted to welcome Denise Höfer back to our shores. Having an athlete of her talent and success return to our island is a true honour and offering our guests the rare opportunity to train with her makes this event genuinely exceptional.”
Event Details:
- Dates: 25 to 28 March 2026
- Location: The Nautilus Maldives
To learn more about Denise Höfer and this exclusive experience, please visit the resort’s website. To book your stay, please contact hello@thenautilusmaldives.com
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