Amr says Maldives must keep ticket prices competitive to increase tourist arrivals

Former STO Managing Director Hussain Amr Mohamed Rashad said on Saturday that air travel to the Maldives must remain competitive and affordable if the country wants to attract more tourists.

His comments come after Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) raised the price of jet fuel sold to airlines, at a time when global fuel prices have surged due to the conflict in the Middle East.

Reposting Sun’s report, Amr wrote on X that MACL earns most of its profit from jet fuel sales. However, he argued that in a tourism‑dependent economy like the Maldives, airports should be treated as critical infrastructure, not profit‑making centres.

Amr noted that MACL’s new jet fuel price, USD 1.69 per litre, is higher than rates at neighbouring airports, making the Maldives a more expensive destination for airlines to operate.

“If we want to bring more tourists to Maldives, the cost of reaching the country must be competitive. Aviation policy should focus on increasing arrivals, not earning billions by selling fuel,” Amr wrote.

Speaking at an MDP press conference on March 11, Amr said SriLankan Airlines had reduced ticket prices to boost tourist arrivals, and that such measures would have a positive impact on the wider Maldivian economy.

MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed said on Friday that jet fuel was previously sold at USD 1.19 per litre, but has now been increased to USD 1.69, a rise of 50 cents, or 42 percent. This is the highest jet fuel price recorded in recent years.

STO, which supplies jet fuel to MACL, imports mostly Omani‑refined petroleum products. Global prices for crude oil and refined fuels have been rising steadily.

MACL earns most of its profit from jet fuel sales.

But in a tourism economy, airports should be treated as infrastructure, not profit centres.

At USD1.69 per liter, jet fuel here is higher than neighbouring airports.

If we want more tourist arrivals, the cost of reaching… https://t.co/HcBDO1jARM

— Amr ???? (@HusenAmr) March 14, 2026

ATR aircraft commonly used in the Maldives consume 750–950 litres of jet fuel per hour, with a total fuel capacity of 6,200–6,500 litres. Larger aircraft such as Boeing 747s require up to 150,000 litres.

High domestic airfare has long been a public concern, especially during peak travel periods such as Eid holidays, when ticket prices typically rise.