Manta Air expands to India with direct flights from Southern Maldives

01 December, 2023

Manta Air, the Maldives’ leading airline, announces the start of direct flights from India to the tropical paradise of Maldives. The momentous announcement occurred at a prestigious event hosted at the chic Bang at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Bangalore.

In a move aimed at redefining air travel between India and the Maldives, the airline will operate direct flights from Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport to the Maldives’ Dhaalu Airport, allowing visitors to avoid the hassles and additional expense of transiting through the main Velaana International Airport at Male, and gaining direct access to many luxury resorts located in Dhaalu atoll.

Manta Air is the Maldives’ leading seaplane and domestic airline operator and prides itself on providing its passengers with a seamless travel experience and exceptional customer service. By flying directly to Dhaalu airport, customers going to resorts in that atoll can save on the usual transit time and additional transfer costs incurred when entering Maldives through the traditional Male airport route.

Dhaalu Atoll is home to some of the country’s best resorts, including Kandima Maldives, Niyama Private Islands, St. Regis Maldives, RIU, Baglioni, Angsana Velavaru, and Sun Siyam Iru Veli.

The Charter flight timings have been designed to allow guests to maximize their stay duration in the Maldives, with all flights arriving in the Maldives in the mornings and departing late in the evenings for India. The flights are scheduled to commence in January 2024.

Mohamed Khaleel, CEO of Manta Air, comments, “This announcement marks a pivotal moment in our company’s trajectory – we are progressing from being the leading domestic and seaplane carrier in the Maldives to an international airline operator. With Manta Air’s expansion through a new direct flight route from India to the Maldives, we anticipate a surge in travel interest and bookings from Indian tourists. This strategic move aims to enhance the guest

Experience and boost bookings for resorts in Dhaalu Atoll, particularly Kandima, RIU Hotel, and Niyama Private Island, all located close to the airport. By facilitating easier and more affordable travel access to the Maldives, we foresee a substantial increase in travel demand from Bengaluru and across India in 2024 and beyond.”

This strategic initiative signifies a significant milestone for the homegrown Maldives’ airline and recognizes India as a pivotal source market for the Maldives. In collaboration with premium partner resorts, Manta Air will curate exclusive packages for the properties conveniently connected to the Dhaalu Airport. These thoughtfully designed offers ensure end-to-end convenience for international travellers from India, resulting in significant savings on flight time and costs. With this initiative, Manta Air aims to enhance the in-flight experience, streamline global travel processes, and eliminate the need for intermediary travel requirements or connecting domestic flights within the Maldives.

Related stories

• The Best Dhaalu Atoll Hotels
• Maldives Airports Full List
• Delhi to Maldives direct flights
• Bangkok Airways resumes flights to Maldives
• Fly to Maldives with Singapore Airlines
• Direct flights to Maldives 2023