Maldivian domestic aviation operators are implementing temporary salary reductions as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to impact tourism demand to the island nation.
According to local media, Manta Air has introduced company-wide salary adjustments effective 1 May 2026, citing declining tourist arrivals, weakened forward bookings and increased cancellations. The move is part of a broader cost-management strategy aimed at easing financial pressure while avoiding large-scale redundancies.
The airline stated that the salary revisions will remain in place for an initial three-month period, with a review scheduled at the end of July. Management emphasized that the measure is intended to distribute the financial burden across the organisation while maintaining operational continuity.
Similarly, local media reported that Trans Maldivian Airways has also introduced temporary pay cuts in response to the same downturn in demand, highlighting the broader impact of the crisis on the country’s aviation and tourism sectors.
Both carriers pointed to reduced passenger volumes linked to ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted travel patterns and softened demand for Maldives-bound tourism.
