For many travellers, the Maldives still feels like a destination that looks closer on a map than it is in practice. Getting between islands can be slow, expensive, and heavily centred around Malé.
That balance is beginning to shift.
From 1 February, the national airline Maldivian will launch a new domestic flight network linking the four southernmost atolls of the country. The change places Addu Atoll at the heart of a region that has long been talked about as the Maldives’ “Deep South”, but rarely explored with ease.
For travellers, it quietly reshapes what a southern Maldives itinerary can look like.
The new service connects airports in Addu City, Fuvahmulah, Gaafu Alifu Atoll (Kooddoo), and Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll (Kaadedhdhoo). Addu City will function as the main hub, allowing onward travel without routing back through Malé.
Flights will be operated using 15-seat Twin Otter aircraft, familiar to anyone who has travelled domestically in the Maldives, but flying between paved runways rather than water take-offs.
That distinction matters. It brings more predictable schedules and easier planning, especially outside peak season.
For visitors, the most immediate impact is flexibility.
Travellers can now base themselves in Addu Atoll and make short flights to nearby islands, rather than committing to one location or absorbing the cost of multiple long transfers. Island hopping in the south becomes realistic, not aspirational.
This is especially helpful for those arriving via Gan International Airport, including connections from SriLankan Airlines. Afternoon arrivals no longer mean waiting overnight to continue a journey.
The pricing reflects a clear intention to encourage movement, not restrict it.
Gan to Fuvahmulah: USD 32.43
Fuvahmulah to Kooddoo or Kaadedhdhoo: USD 42.15
Gan to Kooddoo or Kaadedhdhoo: USD 58.37
In a country where transfers can often cost more than accommodation, these fares change the calculation for travellers planning longer or multi-stop trips.
While the policy is designed to improve mobility for residents, it also has clear implications for tourism.
Fuvahmulah’s reputation for year-round tiger shark diving, and Huvadhoo’s status as one of the Indian Ocean’s most consistent surf regions, have long been offset by access challenges. Short flights from Addu make it easier to combine these experiences in a single trip.
Guesthouses, dive centres, surf camps, and small resorts across the southern atolls are likely to feel the effect first.
This is not a flashy announcement. There are no new mega-resorts or headline-grabbing developments.
Instead, it is a practical piece of infrastructure that subtly changes how travellers can move through the Maldives. Less time backtracking. Fewer bottlenecks. More room to explore at a slower pace.
For travellers interested in seeing a different side of the Maldives, the south is no longer just an idea on the map. It is becoming a place that is easier to reach, easier to combine, and easier to understand.
And at the centre of that shift sits Addu Atoll.
The new service will link airports in:
Addu City (Gan International Airport)
Fuvahmulah
Gaafu Alifu Atoll (Kooddoo)
Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll (Kaadedhdhoo)
Addu City will act as the main hub, making it easier to travel between southern destinations without going through Malé.
The flights will be operated using 15-seat Twin Otter aircraft, similar to those used for domestic seaplane routes, but flying between airports.
Bookings are already open, and fares have been set at affordable rates to encourage travel.
One-way fares start from:
USD 32.43 from Gan to Fuvahmulah
USD 42.15 from Fuvahmulah to Kooddoo or Kaadedhdhoo
USD 58.37 from Gan to Kooddoo or Kaadedhdhoo
These prices make island hopping in the southern Maldives far more accessible for tourists.
For visitors, this new network opens up more flexible travel options.
You can now:
Base your stay in Addu Atoll
Take short flights to nearby islands
Combine diving, surfing, and local island experiences in one trip
Avoid long and expensive transfers through Malé
This is especially useful for travelers staying in guesthouses or planning longer holidays.
The new flights are part of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation’s plan to strengthen regional transport. While they bring major benefits for residents, they also support tourism growth across the south.
Local resorts, guesthouses, dive centers, and tour operators are expected to benefit as travelers find it easier to move between islands.
For tourists, it means more choice and more meaningful experiences beyond the central Maldives.
If you are planning a trip to the Maldives and looking beyond resort-only destinations, this update makes Addu Atoll an even stronger option.
With better air connections, fair pricing, and Addu City acting as a regional hub, exploring the southern Maldives is now simpler than ever.
For travelers who value flexibility, authenticity, and ease of travel, the south is more connected and more welcoming than before.
