Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, lists Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as its India destinations, both flown to Male. In December 2025 it raised each route to five flights a week. Indian visitors get a tourist visa on arrival, but every traveller must submit the free Traveller Declaration through the IMUGA portal, up to 96 hours before arrival.
Updated November 2026 · HappyFares
Most Indian travellers think of the Maldives as a resort trip, and the first step is the flight to Male. Maldivian is the home airline there, and it also runs the flights that move people between the islands.
Which Indian cities does Maldivian fly from?
Maldivian’s own booking page shows two Indian destinations: Cochin (Kochi) and Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram). In a release dated 24 November 2025, the airline announced a fifth weekly flight on each of the Male to Trivandrum and Male to Cochin routes, effective 19 December 2025, using an Airbus A320. Mumbai and Delhi are not on Maldivian’s list; other airlines serve those routes to Male, so look at them if you are not near Kerala.
This guide could not find a published Maldivian timetable for November 2026 and does not quote days or times. Check the airline’s booking page for the dates you want, since weekly patterns are adjusted between seasons.
What about the island flights and seaplanes?
Maldivian also operates domestic flights. Its booking page lists Male along with a number of atoll airports such as Kudahuvadhoo, Hanimaadhoo, Maafaru and Kooddoo, and it carries a Maldivian Seaplane entry in its business services menu. This guide could not confirm seaplane routes or schedules, so check with your resort or the airline for the exact transfer on your day.
Many resorts arrange the final leg for guests, and the choice between a domestic flight, a seaplane or a speedboat depends on where you are staying. Match your international arrival to the transfer, because the final leg may depend on the time you land at Male. Ask your resort what they require before you fix your flight times.
What are the Maldives entry rules for Indians?
Maldives Immigration says a tourist visa is granted on arrival, and tourists do not need pre-approval. Its page lists these requirements:
- A passport (or travel document) with a machine-readable zone and at least one month of validity.
- A complete itinerary, including confirmed return tickets, a prepaid confirmed booking at a registered facility, and sufficient funds for the stay.
- Meeting the entry rules of your next destination, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you have recently travelled through a yellow fever risk country.
The same page notes that a complete itinerary does not guarantee entry, because immigration officers decide admissibility at the port of entry. The length of stay is not quoted here because the official pages did not state it for Indian passport holders. Ask the Maldives Immigration office or your airline.
Is the IMUGA form still required?
Yes. Maldives Immigration states that every traveller, including children, needs an individual Traveller Declaration, submitted up to 96 hours before arrival and shown at immigration. It is free of charge and filed on the official IMUGA portal at imuga.immigration.gov.mv. The immigration department has warned that some websites and individuals charge fees for it, so use only the official portal.
What should you check on baggage and check-in?
Maldivian publishes baggage policy, high volume baggage charges, prohibited items and online check-in pages. Allowances depend on the route and fare and are not quoted here. Read them before you pack, particularly if your trip includes both an international flight and an island transfer, since each leg can have its own rules.
A small aviation fact: the Maldives is spread across atolls, which is why Maldivian’s domestic network lists so many separate island airports.
How do you plan a trip using Maldivian?
If you live in Kerala or can reach it easily, the direct flights from Kochi or Trivandrum are the simplest way to reach Male. The airline states that the Airbus A320 on these routes has Economy and Premium Economy seats, so check which cabins appear for your date. If you live elsewhere in India, compare a flight to Kerala plus the onward leg with a flight on another airline that serves Male from a nearer city.
Because the entry rules ask for a confirmed return ticket and a prepaid booking at a registered facility, finish your hotel or resort booking before you travel and carry both documents. Submit the Traveller Declaration within the 96-hour window, keep a copy where you can open it without mobile data, and leave extra time at the airport for immigration formalities. Set a price alert, since fares to the Maldives tend to rise around holiday periods.
Common Questions
Does Maldivian fly from India to Male?
Yes, from Kochi and Trivandrum. The airline announced five weekly flights on each route from 19 December 2025.
Does Maldivian fly from Mumbai or Delhi?
Its booking page lists only Cochin and Trivandrum as India destinations.
Do Indians need a visa for the Maldives?
A tourist visa is granted on arrival and no pre-approval is needed, but you must meet the entry requirements listed by Maldives Immigration.
Is the IMUGA Traveller Declaration compulsory?
Yes, for every traveller including children. It is free, submitted up to 96 hours before arrival on the official portal.
What must I show at immigration?
Immigration lists a valid passport, a complete itinerary with return tickets, a prepaid confirmed booking and sufficient funds.
Can I book a seaplane through the airline?
The airline lists a seaplane service, but details were not confirmed. Ask your resort or the airline about the exact transfer.
Looking at flights to Male? Search and compare on HappyFares, set a price alert for your dates, and ask Meera, our AI assistant, for help. Travel insurance is available when you book.
Rules, schedules and fees change. Verify current specifics with Maldivian, Maldives Immigration, DGCA or the airport before you travel.
