The Maldives and Ethiopia have signed an Air Services Agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the aviation sector and pave the way for direct air connectivity between the two countries.

The agreements were signed by Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen and Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority Director General Yohannes Abera Belete during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Minister Ameen said Ethiopia is the sixth African nation to sign an air services agreement with the Maldives, following Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles and South Africa. He noted that the agreement supports the launch of scheduled direct flights, with Ethiopian Airlines expressing interest in operating services between Addis Ababa and the Maldives. The agreement also opens the possibility for Maldivian to introduce direct flights to Ethiopia.

According to the minister, the partnership will strengthen the Maldives' global aviation network, create new opportunities for tourism and trade, and contribute to sustainable economic growth by improving international connectivity.