By Manta Air launched direct flights from India to Maldives starting February 16th, 2024.
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.
This development was revealed at a prestigious event hosted at the chic Bang at The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Bangalore in November 2023.
Manta Air is the Maldives’ leading seaplane and domestic airlines 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 located in that atoll are able to save on the usual transit time and additional transfer costs incurred when entering Maldives through the traditional Male’ airport route.
Dhaalu AIrport will provide convenient immigration processes exclusively for Manta Air guests, enabling quick transfers. Dhaalu atoll is host 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 schedules 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.
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, which are all located in close proximity 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 major milestone for the homegrown Maldives’ airline and recognizes India as a pivotal source market for the Maldives. Manta Air, in collaboration with premium partner resorts, will curate combined exclusive packages for the respective properties that are conveniently connected to the Dhaalu Airport.
These thoughtfully designed offers ensure end-to-end convenience for international travelers from India, resulting in significant savings on flight time and costs. With this initiative Manta Air aims to enhance the in-flight experience, streamline international travel processes, and eliminate the need for intermediary travel requirements or connecting domestic flights within the Maldives.
Manta Air is the fastest growing airline in the Maldives, operating ATR72-600 wheelbase aircrafts and DHC6 twin-otter seaplanes. The company registered its business in 2018, and started its first commercial flights in Feb 2019. Since the launching of its services in 2019, Manta Air has experienced immense growth in demand. The airline has helped eliminate uncertainty of flight timings and set new standards in services since its establishment.
The airline currently operates fixed schedules domestic and seaplane flights to more than thirty hotel destinations, providing coverage to six regional atolls and three key airports across the country. Manta has a combined fleet size of 21 aircrafts and is a fully owned and operated Maldivian hotelier.