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Manta Air, UNICEF join forces to support skills development for Maldivian youth
Manta Air and UNICEF on Saturday teamed up to provide early exposure for young Maldivians interested in working in the aviation industry.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Manta Air and UNICEF, Manta Air will provided the opportunity for young people interested in working in the aviation industry to acquire basic knowledge and skills. This will be facilitated through a company wide-internship programme for young Maldivian women and men, with 12 interns set to be enrolled during the first year of the programme.
“This is another milestone for Manta Air, to embark on this mission with UNICEF to develop young people where we take pride in contributing to the local community. Our commitment from the beginning has always been to keep building the capacities needed to further develop and contribute to ensure the future growth of the industry. We believe that this initiative with UNICEF will be a key component in achieving our commitment. We are privileged to work with UNICEF and we hope that this is the start of an amazing journey,” Manta Air CEO Mohamed Khaleel said, after signing the agreement.
The UNICEF-Manta Air internship programme is a unique opportunity for young people who have a passion for the airline industry to gain first-hand experience and exposure to key areas such as flight and ground operations, aircraft engineering, safety/compliance, commercial and marketing. The individuals will get the opportunity to work in all the above disciplines and be closely supervised by experts from Manta Air.
The programme is designed with close monitoring and mentoring support from both Manta Air and UNICEF. It is structured to develop and inspire young people to pursue a career in the aviation sector, through a unique and creative learning experience.
“Globally, the annual growth in the number of young people entering the labour market exceeds the rate of growth in the number of new jobs created by the labour market. In the Maldives, a large number of young people are unemployed. We need to be creative in opening new job horizons for them,” Dr Munir Safieldin, UNICEF Representative to the Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“The partnership between UNICEF and Manta Air opens a new horizon of skills development for potential future employment in civil aviation. Manta Air will provide groups of young women and men with a structured and guided exposure to the civil aviation industry.”
The MoU between Manta Air and UNICEF also covers additional areas such as support for advocacy on children and young people’s rights and issues via Manta Air’s in-flight magazine, RAYS. Both organisations will also join hands in celebrating key events for children and youth, including the World Children’s Day and World Youth Day, to create awareness and engage the public on children’s rights and issues related to the wellbeing of children and young people.
Manta Air, the new experience in the skies of Maldives, began its operations in February.
The first two ATR 72-600s of Manta Air, secured through Nordic Aviation Capital, were delivered in late 2018, and a third aircraft was delivered in March 2019. With their dual-class configuration of 64 seats, Manta Air’s brand new ATR 72-600s have helped boost connectivity for the hospitality industry in the beautiful Maldivian atolls.
Manta Air currently operates scheduled daily service from the main Velana International Airport in Male to Dhaalu Airport, the airline’s main hub located on the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu atoll, and Dharavandhoo Airport in Baa atoll.
The airline is also in the process of acquiring Twin Otter seaplanes in order to launch its seaplane service in the second quarter of 2019.
Featured
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa unveils family-focused Family Fun Summer package
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, a family-focused package designed to encourage guests to spend time together through dining, leisure and recreational activities in a private island setting.
Located 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is offering the package as a year-round experience, despite its summer branding. The programme is intended for families seeking a stay that combines accommodation, meals and activities in a single offering.
The experience includes daily breakfast at Feast, where guests can access buffet selections for adults and children. Lunch is served as a three-course beachside meal, while evenings include buffet dinners, à la carte options and access to the resort’s speciality restaurants.
As part of the package, adult guests receive a USD 45 dining credit per night, which can be used at selected outlets including Baan Thai and Sea Salt. The offer is designed to expand dining options within the resort’s full board arrangement.
The package also includes activities aimed at different age groups. Children have access to the Sheraton Adventure Club, while families can take part in pool activities, water sports, sunset dolphin cruises and guided snorkelling excursions.
For guests seeking wellness experiences, Shine Spa for Sheraton offers a range of treatments, with the package including 15 per cent savings on selected services. The resort has also introduced a spa experience designed for parent and child. Additional recreational options include sunrise beach yoga, as well as access to tennis and football facilities.
Other inclusions within the offer include a complimentary family photoshoot and dining benefits for children when eating with their parents.
Family Fun Summer is available for booking until 15 June 2026, for stays through to 20 December 2026. Through the package, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is presenting a family-oriented resort experience centred on dining, recreation and shared time together.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau to mark Mother’s Day with wellness and dining offerings
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced a Mother’s Day programme centred on wellness, dining and family experiences, offering guests a range of activities designed to mark the occasion in Raa Atoll.
Set within the resort’s island setting, the programme will feature a series of experiences aimed at encouraging families to spend time together through relaxation, dining and shared activities.
At AVI Spa, the Mother’s Day offering will include signature treatments focused on rest and balance. Guests will also have access to holistic sessions led by visiting practitioner Dr Afsana Aradhana Ghyas, whose work focuses on integrative wellbeing and emotional balance.
Dining experiences will form a central part of the programme. These will include floating breakfasts served in private villas, interactive cooking sessions with the resort’s chefs, and private dining experiences ranging from sunset beach dinners to sandbank dining under the stars.
The resort will also offer family-focused activities for the occasion. These will include craft sessions for children, ocean-inspired guided art activities and a family photoshoot intended to capture the day’s experiences.
Through the Mother’s Day programme, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is presenting a combination of wellness, dining and family activities shaped around personal and shared experiences in a resort setting.
Drink
W Maldives unveils The Wavemaker Edit with global talent collaborations
W Maldives has launched The Wavemaker Edit, a new ongoing series of curated collaborations with international talent, aimed at introducing a range of guest experiences across mixology, wellness, cuisine and music.
The series is designed as a rotating programme, with each edition bringing a different creative perspective to the resort. According to W Maldives, the initiative is intended to create a continuing calendar of experiences that combine social, cultural and wellness-led elements.
The first edition of The Wavemaker Edit will run from 3 to 14 June 2026 and will feature two themed chapters, titled Island Alchemy and The Restore Ritual.
Island Alchemy will focus on mixology. On 3 June, Kwok will lead a guest shift at SIP, presenting three cocktails that explore contrast and balance, including a bespoke creation inspired by the Maldives. The collaboration will continue on 6 June at WET Deck, where a poolside day party will feature a curated cocktail menu.
The second chapter, The Restore Ritual, will centre on wellness and movement in recognition of Global Wellness Day. Led by Mumbai-based yoga and movement educator Samiksha Shetty, the programme will include sessions focused on breathwork, mindfulness and alignment-based practice.
The wellness programme will include Sunset Yoga sessions at FIRE Beach on 12 and 14 June, as well as a morning meditation session at AWAY Spa on 13 June. The main event within this chapter will take place on 13 June, when guests will be able to join a Sunset Yoga session aboard the Horizon Yacht. This bookable experience will also include healthy refreshments and a 60-minute massage at AWAY Spa.
W Maldives said future editions of The Wavemaker Edit will expand into culinary, music and art-led experiences under a number of themed series, including Flavors Unscripted, Sound Wave and Make A Scene.
Commenting on the launch, General Manager Amila Handunwala said the initiative reflects the resort’s approach to continuously evolving the guest experience through collaborations with international talent.
W Maldives is positioning the series as part of its broader effort to offer more structured and experience-led programming for guests. In addition, the resort is promoting its Original Wavemaker package, which includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults with a minimum stay of four nights.
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