Fifth weekly frequency restores crucial links as industry calls for direct Thiruvananthapuram-Hanimaadhoo connectivity to unlock North Malé Atoll tourism potential
The launch of Maldivian’s fifth weekly frequency to Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) from Malé, effective 19th December 2025, marks a significant step toward reviving the Kerala capital’s once-thriving status as the premier medical tourism and education destination for Maldivian citizens. However, industry leaders are calling for the next logical step: direct connectivity to Hanimaadhoo International Airport in North Malé Atoll, which is the nearest International airport to the city and could revolutionize tourism economics and healthcare access for both nations.
Thiruvananthapuram’s Lost Golden Era
Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, once enjoyed a golden era as the primary gateway for Maldivian visitors seeking world-class medical treatment and quality education. The city experienced a massive inflow of Maldivian patients, students, and their families who relied on the capital’s renowned healthcare institutions and educational facilities. A few years back, Thiruvananthapuram was home to the second-highest Maldivian community after the Maldives itself, and the city even had a polling station during Maldivian Presidential elections – a testament to the significant diaspora living there.
However, Thiruvananthapuram gradually lost its competitive edge when airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and Maldivian expanded connectivity from the Maldives capital to other Indian cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kochi. This diversification of routes, while beneficial for overall connectivity, inadvertently diluted Thiruvananthapuram’s once-dominant position as the preferred destination for Maldivian medical and educational travelers.
Medical Tourism: Reclaiming Leadership
Thiruvananthapuram has established itself as a world-class medical tourism hub, offering specialized treatments that attract patients from across the globe. For Maldivian citizens, the city has been particularly significant due to:
Premier Healthcare Institutions:
- Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) – a national institute of eminence specializing in cardiac sciences and neurosciences
- Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) – one of Asia’s leading oncology centers
- Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram – offering comprehensive multi-specialty care
- Numerous accredited private hospitals including KIMS Health Care, Ananthapuri Hospitals, SP Medi Fort, SUT Pattom, PRS Hospital, SK Hospitals, Credence Hospital, Anadiyil Hospitals, and many advanced dental and eye hospitals providing advanced treatments at competitive costs
Specialized Medical Services:
- Cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology
- Advanced cancer treatments including radiation therapy and chemotherapy
- Neurosurgery and neurological interventions
- Organ transplantation services
- Orthopedic and joint replacement surgeries
- Fertility treatments and reproductive medicine
- Comprehensive diagnostic facilities
Medical Tourism Advantages:
- Treatment costs 60-80% lower than Western countries and Gulf nations
- English-speaking medical professionals with international qualifications
- No language barriers for Maldivian patients
- Cultural familiarity and halal food availability
- Short flight duration minimizing patient stress
- Established support networks for Maldivian families
The enhanced flight frequency provides Maldivian patients with crucial flexibility for scheduled treatments, follow-up appointments, emergency medical evacuations, and accompanying family members – all essential components of effective medical tourism.
Education Sector: A Time-Tested Partnership
Thiruvananthapuram has been a preferred education destination for generations of Maldivian students, offering quality higher education across multiple disciplines:
Key Educational Institutions:
- University of Kerala – offering diverse undergraduate and postgraduate programs
- Government Medical College – training Maldivian medical professionals
- Engineering colleges affiliated with APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University
- Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) – medical education and training
- College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram – premier engineering institution
- Law colleges and management institutions
- Management, aviation and hospitality, travel and tourism training institutes
Popular Courses Among Maldivian Students:
- Medicine (MBBS and specialized medical degrees)
- Engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, computer science)
- Hospitality and tourism management
- Business administration and commerce
- Allied health sciences (nursing, pharmacy, laboratory technology)
- Law and humanities
The city’s educational institutions offer a unique combination of academic excellence, affordability, cultural compatibility, and proximity that has made Thiruvananthapuram the natural choice for Maldivian families investing in their children’s education.
The Missing Link: Hanimaadhoo Connectivity
While the enhanced Malé connectivity is welcome, industry experts emphasize that the real game-changer would be direct connectivity between Kerala airports (Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi) and Hanimaadhoo International Airport in North Malé Atoll. Hanimaadhoo is the closest international airport to Thiruvananthapuram compared to Malé and Colombo, with a flying time of just 30 minutes. Many of the luxury resorts recently added to the Maldivian tourism industry are situated in the North Malé Atolls. This archipelago is a continuation of India’s Lakshadweep Islands, and the languages are similar – Dhivehi in the Maldives and Malayalam in Kerala share linguistic and cultural connections.
Mr. Yusuf Riffath, Managing Director of Capital Travels Maldives, provided crucial insights into this opportunity: “The connectivity between Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi to Hanimaadhoo International Airport would be a transformative development for both Maldivian resorts and Indian travelers. For Maldivian resorts in the North Malé Atoll region, this direct connectivity would unlock huge business growth potential by filling more rooms with Indian tourists who currently avoid these properties due to high transfer costs. For Indian travelers, this means access to luxury resort rooms at better and more bargaining-friendly rates.”
“The economics are compelling,” Mr. Riffath continued. “Currently, the cost of last-mile connectivity from Malé International Airport to resorts in Hanimaadhoo and the northern atolls often exceeds the actual room rate of luxury resorts in those areas. This absurd situation – where transportation costs more than accommodation – is deterring potential guests and leaving resort rooms empty. By establishing direct flights to Hanimaadhoo, we eliminate this barrier entirely.”
“If airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, or Maldivian seriously consider launching this new connectivity, it would create unprecedented benefits for both countries. For tourism, it opens up entirely new resort destinations to the massive Indian market. For education, Maldivian students can travel more affordably. For medical tourism, patients from northern atolls gain easier access to Thiruvananthapuram’s healthcare facilities. For trade, it facilitates exports and imports between North Maldives and South India. The potential is enormous, and the time to act is now.”
Economic Impact of Last-Mile Connectivity Costs
The current reality for travelers to North Malé Atoll resorts involves:
From Malé International Airport:
- Speedboat transfers: USD 150-300 per person (round trip)
- Seaplane transfers: USD 400-600 per person (round trip)
- Domestic flight + boat combinations: USD 200-400 per person
Comparative Resort Room Rates:
- Luxury all-inclusive resorts in northern atolls: USD 300-500 per night
- Premium beach villas: USD 400-700 per night
This means a family of four could spend USD 1,200-2,400 on transfers alone – often matching or exceeding their total accommodation costs. This economic barrier has kept North Malé Atoll resorts underutilized, particularly by price-sensitive Indian middle-class travelers who represent a massive potential market.
Benefits of Direct Hanimaadhoo-Kerala Connectivity
For Maldivian Tourism Industry:
- Immediate access to India’s enormous middle-class travel market
- Increased occupancy rates at northern atoll resorts
- Reduced dependence on Malé hub-and-spoke model
- Competitive pricing advantages over other tropical destinations
- Extended season bookings from Indian tourists
For Indian Travelers:
- Affordable access to Maldivian luxury resort experiences
- Elimination of expensive transfer costs
- More competitive all-inclusive package rates
- Greater variety of resort options
- Enhanced value proposition for families and groups
For Maldivian Medical Tourists:
- Direct access from northern atolls to Thiruvananthapuram’s healthcare facilities
- Reduced travel time and costs for medical emergencies
- Easier coordination of medical appointments and treatments
- Lower overall medical tourism expenses
For Maldivian Students:
- More affordable travel options for students from northern regions
- Reduced financial burden on families
- Better connectivity during semester breaks and emergencies
For Trade and Commerce:
- Facilitated exports from Kerala (fresh produce, seafood, construction materials)
- Streamlined import channels for Maldivian businesses
- Enhanced supply chain efficiency for northern atoll resorts
- New business opportunities for logistics providers
For Kerala Airports:
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (operated by Adani Airports) will experience significant business growth through increased aircraft parking fees, passenger amenity charges, and enhanced commercial revenues from expanded terminal facilities
- Cochin International Airport will similarly benefit from additional airline parking fees, passenger amenity charges, and increased utilization of airport infrastructure and services
- Both airports stand to gain from expanded duty-free operations, F&B services, retail opportunities, and parking revenues
- Enhanced air connectivity will drive increased cargo operations, further boosting airport revenues
Thiruvananthapuram’s Competitive Advantages
As the Kerala capital positions itself to reclaim its medical tourism and education leadership, several factors work in its favor:
Infrastructure:
- Modern international airport with expansion plans under Adani Airports management
- Comprehensive healthcare infrastructure
- Established educational institutions with international recognition
- Well-developed hospitality sector supporting medical tourists
- Excellent road connectivity to major hospitals and colleges
Cost Competitiveness:
- Lower cost of living compared to Mumbai or Bangalore
- Affordable accommodation options for patients and student families
- Competitive medical treatment costs
- Reasonable tuition fees at quality institutions
Cultural Compatibility:
- Significant Muslim population ensuring halal food availability
- Cultural sensitivity and understanding of Maldivian customs
- Established Maldivian community networks
- Peaceful, family-friendly environment
Government Support:
- Kerala Tourism’s medical tourism initiatives
- State government’s focus on healthcare excellence
- Educational policies welcoming international students
- Streamlined visa and immigration processes
Call to Action for Airlines
Industry stakeholders are urging airlines to recognize the untapped potential:
For IndiGo:
- Leverage extensive domestic network and cost-efficiency
- Tap into India’s growing outbound leisure market
- Establish first-mover advantage on Hanimaadhoo route
For Air India:
- Strengthen bilateral connectivity under India’s aviation diplomacy
- Utilize regional aircraft for point-to-point services
- Support Government of India’s tourism and healthcare export initiatives
For Maldivian:
- Diversify beyond Malé-centric network
- Support development of northern atoll tourism infrastructure
- Enhance accessibility for citizens in northern regions
Strategic Timing
The current moment presents an ideal opportunity for launching Hanimaadhoo connectivity:
- Post-pandemic tourism recovery creating demand for new destinations
- Indian middle class experiencing rising disposable incomes
- Maldivian resorts seeking new source markets
- Growing medical tourism sector in Kerala
- Expanding higher education capacity in Thiruvananthapuram
- Airport infrastructure development under Adani Airports creating enhanced capacity
Bilateral Benefits Framework
A comprehensive Thiruvananthapuram/Kochi-Hanimaadhoo air link would create a mutually beneficial ecosystem:
Tourism Growth: Opening northern atoll luxury resorts to Indian mass market while offering Maldivians easier access to Kerala’s cultural and wellness tourism
Healthcare Access: Providing Maldivian citizens, especially from northern regions, affordable access to world-class medical facilities while positioning Kerala as the premier medical tourism destination
Education Pipeline: Facilitating smoother student movement and family visits while ensuring continued enrollment of Maldivian students in Kerala institutions
Trade Facilitation: Enabling efficient movement of goods, particularly fresh produce and hospitality supplies essential for northern atoll resorts
Economic Development: Creating employment in aviation, hospitality, healthcare, and education sectors in both regions
Airport Revenue Growth: Generating substantial revenues for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (Adani Airports) and Cochin International Airport through increased aircraft movements, passenger traffic, and ancillary services
Current Fifth Frequency: A Positive Step
While awaiting the potential Hanimaadhoo breakthrough, the fifth weekly Malé-Thiruvananthapuram frequency offers immediate benefits:
For Medical Tourists:
- More appointment scheduling flexibility
- Better emergency evacuation options
- Reduced waiting times for treatment slots
- Easier family visit coordination
For Students:
- Convenient semester break travel
- Emergency travel options
- Better alignment with academic calendars
- Reduced stress during peak periods
For Airports:
- Increased landing and parking fees for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
- Enhanced passenger amenity charge collections
- Greater utilization of terminal facilities and services
Affordable Fares:
- Thiruvananthapuram (TRV): USD 232 return (approximately MVR 3,581)
- Full-service amenities including meals and baggage
Looking Ahead
As Thiruvananthapuram works to reclaim its position as the premier destination for Maldivian medical tourists and students, the aviation industry holds the key to unlocking the next phase of growth. The city’s world-class healthcare facilities, quality educational institutions, and cultural compatibility remain as strong as ever – what’s needed now is the air connectivity to match.
The proposed Hanimaadhoo link represents more than just another route on an airline network map. It represents a strategic partnership that could reshape tourism economics, enhance healthcare access, strengthen educational ties, and create shared prosperity for communities in both nations. Additionally, it promises substantial business growth for Thiruvananthapuram International Airport under Adani Airports’ management and Cochin International Airport through increased airline operations, passenger traffic, and associated revenues.
The question is not whether this connectivity makes sense – the economic and social benefits are abundantly clear. The question is which airline will have the vision and courage to be first.
For bookings on the enhanced Malé-Thiruvananthapuram service and more information, passengers can visit Maldivian’s website or contact local travel agents.
