The Maldives and Ethiopia have signed an Air Services Agreement to strengthen aviation links between the two countries.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation. Tourism Minister Mohamed Ameen signed on behalf of the Maldives, while Director General of the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority, Yohannes Abayneh Belay, signed on behalf of Ethiopia. The two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in civil aviation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Ameen said Ethiopia is the sixth African country with which the Maldives has established an air services agreement, following similar agreements with Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles and South Africa.

He said the agreement paves the way for scheduled direct flights between the two countries' airlines. It comes as Ethiopian Airlines has expressed interest in launching direct services between Addis Ababa and the Maldives.

Ameen noted that improved air connectivity would support tourism growth, expand trade opportunities and strengthen the Maldives' links with major global aviation hubs. He added that the agreement would also create opportunities for Maldivian to operate direct flights to Ethiopia in the future, benefiting both the tourism and aviation sectors.