News
Mega Maldives Airlines to start flights to Saudi Arabia
Maldives.net.mv – With an eye on the ever-growing Gulf and Middle East market, Mega Maldives Airlines is set to launch its services to Saudi Arabia.
“In fact, we are getting ready and will launch our maiden flights to the Kingdom very soon,” said George Weinmann, CEO of Mega Maldives Airlines in a recent interview with Arab News.
“We have observed that the interest is very strong during our visit to Saudi Arabia. So, we are very excited about offering our services to the Kingdom,” Weinmann told Arab News.
“Jeddah will be our first choice, but we will also hope to provide services to Riyadh, followed by Madinah and possibly Dammam,” said Weinmann, who was in Saudi Arabia to initiate formalities for launching the flights.
The airline is initially planning to operate its 6-hour nonstop flights three to four times a week to Saudi Arabia.
The carrier now has a fleet of four aircraft. Within the next few months two more planes — Boeing 767 and Boeing 757 — will be added, raising the number of aircraft to six.
Explaining the carrier’s choice of B757 aircraft, he said that the decision was made in the context of its superior range performance. He said: “The Maldives is in the middle of the Indian Ocean from where major markets like Saudi Arabia or China are 6 hours or more away by air. In the Maldives, the nearest alternate (diversion) airport is about an hour away. Smaller aircraft like A320s don’t have a range to cover the six-hour flights. So, you have to fly larger aircraft like the 757. The 757 is designed to fly up to 8 hours so by choosing this aircraft we can enter new markets and develop these markets with very comfortable and very reliable aircraft, and then switch to bigger, wider aircraft as the market grows larger. But people like to have frequency, and the 757 helps us offer more choice without compromising on performance or service.”
Weinmann said: “At present, we are flying to some Chinese destinations, but we see opportunities in new markets. Just like the Chinese market, the globally recognized fast growing and attractive new outbound markets are basically in the Middle East-Gulf region. In the region, we see Saudi Arabia is underserved by international destinations. That is why we have chosen to focus on the Middle East and that is why we are here in Jeddah.”
He said the carrier is also planning to extend its network into Southeast Asia — to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and other cities in that region as well as to Australia.
He said many Saudi nationals have been visiting the Maldives. “Last year, about 10,000 Saudis visited the island. In 2009, there were only about 3,000 or so Saudis toured the islands. So the number has grown very fast. We hope to see 15,000 to 20,000 Saudi visitors in the Maldives, and we hope direct flights will support this.” he said.
“Saudi Arabia is not as big a country as China, but we see a lot of opportunities here,” said the CEO. Weinmann said: “We expect to have very good business coming from the Maldives to Saudi Arabia also. Maldivians like to travel abroad and the Kingdom is expected to be a popular choice. And through our hub in Male, we are very well positioned to connect Southeast Asia and the Kingdom as well.”
He said the air services agreement between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia allows for regular Umrah and Haj flights.
Muhammad Najmi, general manager for Nudra Aviation, owned by Abdul Aziz Gabel, says the company is working with Mega Maldives Airlines to promote the carrier in Saudi Arabia.
Weinmann said Maldivian airlines had been granted access to all the main international airports in Saudi Arabia. The Maldives Civil Aviation Authority signed the agreement with the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) recently.
News
One&Only Reethi Rah unveils Jessie J as headliner for ‘Time as One’ festive season
One&Only Reethi Rah, the Maldives’ iconic private island retreat, has announced the powerhouse singer-songwriter Jessie J as the headlining entertainer for its highly anticipated New Year’s Eve celebrations. The exclusive live performance, reserved solely for resort guests, continues One&Only Reethi Rah’s growing tradition of welcoming the New Year with some of the world’s most celebrated musical acts.

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Indian Ocean, New Year’s Eve celebrations at One&Only Reethi Rah will culminate in the resort’s Gala Night on 31st December 2026. The highlight of the festive season, the evening will begin with an elegant beachside cocktail reception before unfolding into an exhilarating celebration of culinary theatre and captivating live performances. As 2026 draws to a close, Jessie J will take the stage, bringing the celebrations to electrifying heights with her powerhouse vocals, dynamic stage presence and chart-topping hits.
Known for her exceptional vocal range and unique musical style blending soul, pop, and contemporary R&B; her prolific ear for musical hooks and confident stage persona, her global singles including “Price Tag,” “Domino,” and “Bang Bang” have reached #1 in the world, garnering various accolades including the Critics’ Choice BRIT Award and a Grammy nomination. Throughout her career, Jessie J has also served as a coach on the renowned singing competition shows The Voice UK, The Voice Australia, and The Voice Kids UK.

“We are excited to welcome Jessie J to One&Only Reethi Rah for this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations,” said Jan Tibaldi, General Manager of the resort. “One&Only is all about creating unforgettable moments, and ringing in 2027 with an artist of Jessie J’s calibre promises to be a spectacular night that our guests will remember for years to come.”

This year’s festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah welcomes guests to explore unhurried moments of connection through the theme of Time as One, centred on sharing meaningful and liberating experiences. Guests of all ages are invited to discover unscripted memories through a season of family holiday traditions, divine culinary experiences, rejuvenating wellness treatments, and exhilarating activities on sand and in the sea. Jessie J’s performance at the end of the year is sure to embody the spirit of the season and ignite meaningful and special memories to welcome 2027.
The festive season at One&Only Reethi Rah commences on 20th December 2026 with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Cocktail and ends on 13th January 2026 with the resort’s Orthodox New Year Gala Dinner. Reservations and pre-bookings are recommended.

For inquiries and bookings, please contact the VIP Services team at reethirah.festive@oneandonlyreethirah.com. For more information about festive and the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com. For bookings, please call +960 664 8800 or contact the resort’s reservations team at reservations@oneandonlyreethirah.com.
Meditation
W Maldives to host neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri for week-long ‘Restore Ritual’
W Maldives, a luxury private-islandresort with one of the best house reefs in the Maldives, will welcome neuroscientist, meditation coach, and wellness innovator, and Brainwave founder Anne-Sophie Fluri for The Restore Ritual, taking place from September 14 to 20, 2026.
The week-long wellness residency will combine neuroscience, mindfulness, and immersive island experiences, offering guests a new perspective on mental well-being. Through a series of guided practices, Fluri will explore how mental fitness can be developed with the same intention as physical wellness.
The Restore Ritual is the latest installment of The Wavemaker Edit, W Maldives’ signature series featuring global innovators across culinary, mixology, music, art, design, sustainability, and wellness. Set against the natural beauty of the Maldives, the week-longresidency brings a science-led approach to mental well-beingthrough experiences designed to encourage curiosity, reflection, and meaningful connection.
For Fluri, well-beingbegins with understanding the mind. Her work is built on the belief that resilience, focus, and emotional well-beingare skills that can be strengthened through science-backed practices and daily rituals. Rather than treating wellness as an occasional escape, she encourages people to develop sustainable habits that support a calmer, more present way of living, combining neuroscience with mindfulness to make mental fitness both practical and accessible.
Her career spans neuroscience research, technology, and wellness. During her Master of Research in Experimental Neuroscience at Imperial College London, Fluri contributed to pioneering research in psychedelic science and migraine treatment. She later earned a scholarship to develop algorithms addressing motion sickness in virtual reality.
Fluri went on to serve as Head of Mindfulness at a mental fitness platform and Chief Science Officer at a sleep technologycompany. She now develops neuroscience-based products and leads Brainwave, a global platform delivering science-backed talks, workshops, coaching and events delivered by scientists and academics.
Throughout the residency, Fluri will personally lead every session, using the island’s natural surrounds as a setting for explorationand reflection. The program will include sunrise meditationoverlookingthe Indian Ocean, conscious breathwork and visualization, invigorating ice bath challenge, and restorative rituals held in selected locations across the island. Sessions will unfold at settings including Coral Terrace, surrounded by the resort’s award-winning house reef, and the secluded shores of Gaathafushi Private Island. Each location brings nature into the experience, creating moments where nature and neuroscience come together in harmony.
“The Wavemaker Edit was created to bring inspiring voices and fresh perspective to W Maldives,”said Amila Handunwala, General Managerof W Maldives. “Anne-Sophierepresents a new generation of wellness innovators who combine scientific knowledge with genuine human connection. The Restore Ritual offers our guests an opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and discover that wellbeing extends far beyond the spa. It is about creating experiences that stay with you long after you leave the island.”
Guests interested in experiencing The Restore Ritual and the resort’s evolving calendar of cultural and wellness programming can book the Half Board Escape package, availableuntil August 31, 2026. This package includes a stay with daily buffet breakfast, a daily three-course dinner at selected dining venues, and an in-room W MixBar stocked with non-alcoholicbeverage.
For more information, visit wmaldives.com or connect with the resort’s team at reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Action
Joy Island Maldives expands guest activities with new Joy Arcade
Joy Island Maldives, part of The Cocoon Collection, has expanded its leisure offering with the launch of Joy Arcade, the resort’s first dedicated gaming room.
The new facility has been introduced as an indoor entertainment space where guests can play individually or with friends and family, adding another activity to the resort’s programme beyond the beach, lagoon and outdoor experiences.

Joy Arcade features four gaming stations built around simulation and virtual reality technology. The line-up includes a three-screen racing car simulator, equipped with a force-feedback steering wheel and pedals; VR Moto, a motion-based motorcycle simulator that moves in response to the virtual terrain; a 9D VR Platform, featuring two motion pods and a selection of adventure, horror and flight experiences; and VR Gun Shooting, which combines a headset with a motion-tracked controller and an in-room leaderboard.
The racing simulator accommodates one player at a time and is recommended for guests aged eight and above, while VR Moto is recommended for those aged 10 and above. The 9D VR Platform can accommodate up to two players and is recommended for guests aged six and above, while VR Gun Shooting is designed for one player at a time and recommended for ages eight and above.

The arcade operates daily from 10am to noon, 2pm to 6pm and 9pm to 11pm. Walk-in guests do not need to make an advance booking, with passes available from the arcade desk during operating hours.
Guests can choose from one-, two-, three- and four-hour Play Passes, as well as an Unlimited Day Pass. Each pass provides access to all four gaming stations, with the duration determining the amount of playing time available. The resort advises guests to check with the arcade desk for current pricing and any rates linked to resort or stay packages.
Joy Arcade is open to guests of all ages, although younger players may require a parent or guardian when using motion-based equipment. Headsets, controllers and safety equipment are provided and sanitised between uses. The room can also be booked for birthday parties and other events, with private sessions, party host assistance and refreshments available for groups.

The addition expands the range of recreational facilities at Joy Island, which positions activities as a central part of its guest experience. The resort also offers tennis and padel, fitness and wellness sessions, excursions, diving and water sports, while its Kids’ Club, Kiddie Cove, provides supervised activities for children aged three to 12.
Its Dive & Water Sports Centre offers activities including scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, jet skiing, parasailing, wakeboarding and waterskiing. Other experiences include dolphin cruises, fishing trips and marine excursions.
Joy Island is located in North Malé Atoll, around 40 kilometres from Velana International Airport and approximately 40 minutes away by speedboat. The resort has 151 villas, comprising 91 beach villas and 60 overwater villas, with accommodation options that include villas with private plunge pools. Interiors feature furnishings and design elements by Italian design company LAGO.
The resort also operates Oasis Spa, where treatments combine Eastern and Western wellness approaches, including Balinese massage, hot stone massage, aromatherapy and couples’ treatments. Its fitness programme includes yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aqua fitness, gym sessions, beach volleyball and racquet sports.
Joy Island’s food and beverage offering comprises three restaurants and a bar. The Market serves international cuisine through buffet and live cooking stations, while Il Basilico focuses on Italian dishes, including wood-fired pizza. Palm Beach offers beachfront dining, including seafood and grilled dishes, while Rainbow Bar, located beside the swimming pool, serves drinks throughout the day. The resort also offers destination dining experiences, including sandbank picnics, lagoon dinners, beach dinners and garden dining.
With Joy Arcade, the resort is adding an indoor gaming component to an activity programme that already spans water sports, diving, wellness, excursions, children’s activities and racquet sports, providing guests with an additional option for entertainment throughout their stay.
-
News1 week agoSheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa reimagines island experience with resort-wide makeover
-
Action1 week agoJamie Murray to host week-long tennis residency at Finolhu Maldives
-
Meditation1 week agoImron Zulfikar returns to Niva Kuramathi Maldives for festive wellness residency
-
Action1 week agoCentara Mirage Lagoon Maldives develops next generation of dive instructors
-
Cooking7 days agoMichelin-starred Chef Karim Khouani to lead culinary residency at Sirru Fen Fushi
-
Action1 week agoChef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
-
News6 days agoVakkaru Maldives elevates overwater luxury with new pool villas
-
Meditation6 days agoReconnect with nature at Milaidhoo Maldives this World Wellness Weekend



