Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, and SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka’s national carrier and a member of the oneworld alliance, have announced a strategic interline partnership designed to significantly expand connectivity between the two island nations in South Asia and open up broader access to global travel networks for passengers of both airlines.
The partnership, formalised between Maldivian (Q2) – operated by Island Aviation Services – and SriLankan Airlines, enables passengers to travel on a single electronic ticket across both carriers’ networks, covering journeys to and from Malé and Gan with smooth, end-to-end connectivity. Under the new arrangement, Maldivian will extend access to 17 local destinations across the Maldivian archipelago beyond Malé, welcoming travellers arriving via SriLankan Airlines’ extensive international network. At the same time, travellers from key global markets will benefit from seamless connections into the Maldives through Colombo – one of South Asia’s most strategically positioned transit hubs.
The partnership equally benefits outbound Maldivian travellers, who will now enjoy greater ease and flexibility when travelling internationally, with smoother onward connections via Colombo to a wide range of destinations across SriLankan Airlines’ global network.
Mr. Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Maldivian, described the agreement as a meaningful step forward in the airline’s broader connectivity ambitions. “This partnership marks another important step in our efforts to enhance accessibility to the Maldives and strengthen connectivity beyond Malé to the atolls,” he said. “With SriLankan Airlines’ extensive global reach and our domestic network, this collaboration will support tourism growth while also making international travel more convenient for Maldivians.”
A spokesperson for SriLankan Airlines welcomed the partnership with equal enthusiasm, capturing the spirit of the alliance in a single phrase: “Connecting one paradise to another.” The carrier added that the interline arrangement strengthens connectivity between two of the Indian Ocean’s most sought-after island destinations, while enhancing travel flexibility and convenience for passengers across both networks.
The agreement reflects both airlines’ shared commitment to deepening regional cooperation, advancing network integration, and delivering a seamless travel experience across the Indian Ocean. For the Maldives, it represents a further strengthening of the air access infrastructure that underpins the archipelago’s world-leading tourism industry – making it easier than ever for international visitors to reach not just Malé, but the full breadth of the Maldives’ 17 domestic destinations. For Maldivian travellers, it opens a more connected path to the world beyond their shores.
