Featured
Manta Air, UNICEF Maldives launch joint apprenticeship programme

Manta Air and UNICEF Maldives on Monday inaugurated a joint apprenticeship programme to provide exposure for young Maldivians interested in working in the aviation industry.
The first batch of the company-wide Manta Air Apprentice Programme will see six participants, including three women and three men, working as apprentices at Manta Air for the next three months.
At a ceremony held Monday afternoon, the six apprentices were given offer certificates along with uniforms.
The UNICEF and Manta Air apprenticeship 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 and compliance, commercial and marketing. The young women and men will get the opportunity to be closely supervised by Manta Air staff.
The programme has been designed with close monitoring and mentoring support from both Manta Air and UNICEF. It has been structured to develop and inspire young people to pursue a career in the aviation industry, through a unique and creative learning experience.
“I am pleased to welcome the six new Mantas who will be joining Team Manta for the next three months as apprentices, working together with our team and learning what the aviation industry has set for everyone. We take pride in contributing to the local community and we are privileged and happy to be working with UNICEF to develop young people,” Edward Alsford, COO of Manta Air, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“I am also delighted to have this milestone when we are celebrating the ICAO Day ICA75 and I extend our sincere gratitude’s and greetings to everyone working in the aviation industry here the Maldives.”
UNICEF Representative to the Maldives Dr Munir Safieldin also highlighted the importance of the apprenticeship programme.
“The partnership of UNICEF and Manta Air we are launching today is about developing the skills of adolescent girls and boys for future employment. Today, the first batch of three adolescent girls and three adolescent boys is starting their three months apprenticeship. The six young trainees have just completed their high school and are ready to start a new phase of their life,” Safieldin said.
“This apprenticeship is designed to expose adolescent Maldivian girls and boys to the civil aviation industry and prepare them for possible professional employment in this new grown sector in the Maldives.”
The programme is part of a partnership between Manta Air and UNICEF Maldives which is aimed at providing early exposure for young people interested in working in the aviation industry and for them to acquire basic knowledge and skills.
The partnership 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.
The arrival of Manta Air has been a game changer in the domestic aviation industry, removing the fears of flight uncertainty for passengers flying in the Maldives, and setting new standards in service excellence along the way with pre-published schedules and a tailored approach to provide an amazing experience to all passengers.
The airline currently utilises three brand new ATR 72-600 aircraft to operate domestic flights to Dhaalu Airport, located on the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu atoll, Dharavandhoo Airport, located on the island of Dharavandhoo in Baa atoll, and Kooddoo Airport, located on the island of Kooddoo in Gaafu Alif atoll, from the main Velana International Airport.
Manta Air had also launched the first scheduled seaplane service in the Maldives, bringing another revolutionary experience to the skies of Maldives.
The airline had brought in six DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft, with another four set to join its seaplane by year-end.
Celebration
Where time stands still: The Nautilus Maldives unveils unscripted holiday celebrations

This festive season, The Nautilus Maldives welcomes discerning travellers to leave the ordinary behind and step into a realm where time gently pauses and celebration flows without constraint. From 21 December 2025 to 6 January 2026, guests are invited to embark on Nomadic Journeys—an unhurried, soulful holiday experience set against the idyllic backdrop of the Maldives’ most liberating private island retreat.
Anchored in The Nautilus’s philosophy of boundless freedom and self-expression, Nomadic Journeys is an invitation to dreamers, seekers, and free spirits. The island transforms into a bohemian sanctuary where lanterns flicker in the ocean breeze, artisanal curiosities spark wonder, and barefoot sophistication blends with heartfelt connection.
The festive programme is a vivid mosaic of celebration, shaped by the universal languages of art, music, movement, and culinary discovery. Each element is crafted to awaken the senses and nourish the soul.
Evenings brim with artistic vibrancy, from the Christmas Boho Soirée to the Beachside New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner, where international flavours, captivating performances, and evocative music fill the night air. The Art of Bohemia brings together the rhythmic energy of traditional Maldivian Boduberu drumming and expertly mixed artisanal cocktails, complemented by live painting sessions that pay homage to island artistry.
Wellness is deeply woven into the journey, with sunrise yoga practices such as The First Flow and Stillness in Motion harmonising with the ocean’s rhythms. Meditative experiences include sound healing with crystal bowls, bespoke spa journeys like The Radiance of the Dunes, and elemental fire rituals such as Fireside Release, all designed to restore and renew.
Culinary exploration takes centre stage through a nomadic dining series curated by Executive Chef Christopher Terry and his award-winning team. Degustation dinners are paired with fine wines and tailored cocktails, with standout experiences including Chef’s Table by the Sea, Flavours of the Levant, and the Dom Pérignon Seafood Degustation at Zeytoun.
Families are also drawn into the spirit of connection, with activities such as family yoga, shared spa rituals, and the joyful arrival of The Wanderer in Red creating treasured holiday memories. Interactive workshops and live music sessions provide a creative platform for guests to shape their own festive narratives.
Throughout the season, The Nautilus embodies an eclectic spirit, celebrating individuality, culture, and imagination. From Maldivian handicraft sessions to Silk Road-inspired design, the island becomes a tapestry of contrasting yet harmonious expressions.
As General Manager Adan Gomez reflects, “This festive season is not a schedule. It’s a journey—a soulful escape crafted for those who dare to wander.” Guests are encouraged to explore freely, create meaningfully, and simply exist in a space where every moment feels spontaneous, personal, and unforgettable.
In a world that rarely slows down, The Nautilus Maldives offers a chance to pause, connect, and rediscover joy—inviting guests to find their rhythm, sanctuary, and story this festive season.
Celebration
Kandima Maldives unveils ‘Rhythms of the Eras’ festive celebration for 2025/26

This festive season, Kandima Maldives invites guests to embrace a celebration that breaks away from convention with ‘Rhythms of the Eras – A Festive Journey Through Time.’ This island-wide event, running from 21 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, offers a vibrant fusion of musical nostalgia and Kandima’s signature lifestyle experience. Spanning the jazz glamour of the 1920s to the pulsing beats of contemporary EDM, the festival reimagines holiday celebrations as an immersive journey through the most iconic periods in music history.
Designed for today’s experience-driven traveller, Rhythms of the Eras presents a bold, nostalgia-fuelled celebration that encourages guests to relive the soundtrack of their lives—decade by decade. According to Dermot Birchall, General Manager at Kandima Maldives, the event is “not your average festive programme,” but a “full-sensory journey through sound, style, flavour, and movement.” He adds that the celebration is rooted in music as a powerful expression of culture, memory, and joy—revived with the island’s playfully chic DNA.
Among the standout experiences are themed culinary pop-ups and curated festive dining events. Guests can savour smoky flavours accompanied by live music at Smokin’ Blues and BBQ Grooves, or step into the retro charm of The King’s Diner. Edgy offerings like the Hip-Hop & Grunge Street Food Cart at Breeze Beach further amplify the festival’s nostalgic appeal. A series of indulgent tastings and celebrations—including Chocolate & Whisky Pairings, Caviar & Prosecco Sunsets, a dazzling Christmas Day Brunch, and a lavish New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner—round out the season’s gourmet highlights.
Wellness seekers can journey through time at the EsKape Spa, which has curated an era-themed menu of treatments. From the floral serenity of the Flower Power Bliss Ritual inspired by the 1970s, to the decadent elegance of The Gatsby Glow Journey, complete with gold facials and pearl manicures, the spa offers a sensory escape. Hands-on workshops, such as island soap making and aromatic candle crafting on Boxing Day, add a creative touch to the wellness programme.
Families are well catered for at Kandiland, where little ones can enjoy elf workshops, glow-in-the-dark parties, and even Santa’s arrival by the beach. Meanwhile, adults can join in cocktail mixology classes or belt out tunes at beachfront karaoke sessions.
Entertainment pulses through the island each evening, with themed parties ranging from the smooth rhythms of RnB Nights to the fiery flair of Latin Fire, nostalgic throwbacks at Rock ‘n’ Roll Revivals, and chart-topping hits at the Retro Christmas Party. For thrill-seekers, high-speed action awaits at Fast Track, Kandima’s e-go-kart arena, where guests can join the Time Attack Race or Rudolph’s Rapid Rally. Those in search of a slower pace can explore local creativity at the KULA Art Festival or toast the sunset aboard a luxury lagoon cruise.
The festivities culminate on New Year’s Eve with a beachfront celebration featuring a live band, fireworks display, and a late-night buffet that keeps the party going well into 2026. As the first sunrise of the new year emerges over the Indian Ocean, guests are invited to continue the celebration with a relaxed New Year’s Day brunch—welcoming the next chapter in unmistakable Kandima style.
Featured
Circus meets sorcery: Halloween celebrations at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef

This Halloween, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef is set to transform into a vibrant, circus-inspired wonderland from 29 October to 1 November, offering a curated celebration of magical experiences and playful illusions. The resort will come alive with themed performances, immersive décor, and captivating entertainment designed to delight guests of all ages, culminating in a headline appearance by master illusionist Yollin Lee. Each evening promises an atmosphere of enchantment beneath the Maldivian stars.
The festivities will include a lively line-up of events such as a DJ-led party, carnival-style cocktails, face painting, and a dazzling Grand Masquerade Gala Dinner accompanied by a live band. A special open-air movie night will add to the charm, while guests can also enjoy exclusive discounts on Halloween cocktails and the gala dinner, heightening the celebratory mood.
A key highlight will be the appearance of Yollin Lee, an internationally acclaimed magician recognised for his technically intricate manipulation skills. With more than ten prestigious awards to his name, Lee has captivated audiences across the globe. Known for his “exceptionally wondrous” performances and “charismatic, delightful charm,” the Korean-born, London-based illusionist is set to deliver an unforgettable show.
Children will be well catered for, with activities such as Halloween mask painting and a dedicated kids’ party featuring games and a magical performance by Yollin Lee, ensuring the younger guests are fully immersed in the Halloween spirit.
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