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Melbourne Airport has welcomed Australia’s first non-stop flight from the Maldives.
Flight Q2956 from Malé touched down in Melbourne just after 2pm on Monday, returning later that night as Q2957. Operated by Maldivian Airlines, the seasonal weekly flights are sold as a package deal through tour operator Luxury Escapes.
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“The Maldives has long been a bucket-list destination for Australian travellers, but the time and complexity of travelling via a transit in Singapore or the Middle East had been a major deterrent,” said Luxury Escapes CEO and co-founder Adam Schwab.
“With great support from Melbourne Airport and in partnership with the national carrier of the Maldives, we’ve been able to unlock a direct route and package it with exceptional value across a range of resorts, from ultra-luxury romantic escapes to family-friendly options.
“All of this combined will position the Maldives as the new Mediterranean for Aussie travellers.”
According to Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus, the elimination of transit through an Asian or Middle Eastern hub will shave nine to 10 hours off the journey.
“For the first time ever in Australia, you’ll be able to jump on a flight in the evening and wake up in the Maldives the next morning,” she said.
“Travel to South Asia is booming with capacity out of Melbourne up 53 per cent on pre- pandemic levels, so I’m sure this service will be in demand.”
The launch of flights comes as the government signs a new bilateral air service agreement (ASA) with the Maldives, which will allow airlines from both countries to fly passenger and cargo flights to all Australian airports.
New and updated agreements have also been signed with El Salvador, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, with the latter two allowing Gulf carriers to increase flights to Western Sydney International Airport.
“These agreements underscore the Albanese Government’s commitment to creating opportunities for our aviation, tourism and trade industries and providing connectivity benefits to passengers,” said Transport Minister Catherine King.
Melbourne Airport last month saw international passengers drop 7.1 per cent year on year between April 2025 and April 2026, including a 67.6 per cent drop in seats from the Middle East.
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