Maldivian Airlines to host music fest “Dhaka, We Heard You” marking resumption of flights
Dhaka: Maldivian Airlines has announced a special music festival titled “Dhaka, We Heard You” to mark the resumption of direct Dhaka–Malé flights from 12 March 2026.
The music festival will be held on January 9 in Malé, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in the Maldives.
Island Aviation Services Ltd. (IASL)—the parent company that owns and operates Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives—said the event is specially curated for the Bangladeshi community residing in the Maldives. The festival symbolizes the strong cultural bonds and people-to-people connections between the two nations, according to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Embassy on Sunday, January 4.
Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of IASL, along with senior officials of the company, recently paid a courtesy call on Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam, High Commissioner of Bangladesh, at the Chancery Building of the Bangladesh High Commission.
During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed the enduring friendship and close bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the Maldives and expressed optimism about expanding cooperation in air connectivity, trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, the release said.
Ibrahim Iyas informed the High Commissioner that Maldivian Airlines is set to resume direct flight operations between the Maldives and Bangladesh in response to strong demand—particularly from the large Bangladeshi expatriate community residing in the Maldives—and to further enhance connectivity between the two friendly nations.
The Managing Director highlighted the instrumental role of Maldivian Airlines in strengthening Bangladesh–Maldives relations, including facilitating passenger travel, cargo operations, tourism flows, and positioning the Maldives as a regional transit hub.
The High Commissioner welcomed the announcement and thanked the Managing Director and the IASL team for their initiative. He expressed hope that the resumption of flights would ensure competitive airfares, providing greater affordability and convenience for travelers, especially Bangladeshi expatriates and Maldivian passengers.
It was announced that direct flights between Malé and Dhaka will commence on 12 March 2026, operating twice weekly on Sundays and Thursdays. The flights are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka early in the morning, facilitating smooth onward connections to other destinations.
The resumption of the Dhaka route coincides with the conclusion of Ramadan and the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, offering timely convenience for Maldivian travelers going abroad and Bangladeshi nationals returning home during the festive period.
IASL further informed that round-trip fares will start from USD 399, with passengers entitled to a 30 kg checked baggage allowance and complimentary onboard meals. Bookings for the scheduled flights are now officially open.
Dr. Md. Nazmul Islam noted that Dhaka is a popular destination among Maldivians for business, short visits, medical travel, and as a transit hub for regional and international journeys.
Both sides expressed their commitment to continued cooperation aimed at enhancing bilateral connectivity, promoting the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives, and facilitating tourism and travel for Maldivian visitors to Bangladesh.
The meeting concluded on a cordial note, with the High Commissioner and the Managing Director exchanging gifts and reiterating their shared resolve to further strengthen Bangladesh–Maldives relations through enhanced air connectivity and partnership.
Currently, Maldivian Airlines’ fleet comprises 26 aircraft, including one wide-body Airbus A330, one Airbus A320, five ATR aircraft, eight Dash-8 aircraft, and eleven Dash-6 Twin Otters, reflecting the airline’s growing operational capacity.
