GullivAir to launch direct Malé–Sofia flights in November
Bulgarian airline GullivAir is set to launch direct scheduled flights between Malé and Sofia from 6 November 2026, establishing a new non-stop air connection between the Maldives and Bulgaria.
The service will operate throughout the 2026/27 winter season until 26 March 2027, using an Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft. The new route will provide Bulgarian travellers with direct access to the Maldives while allowing passengers departing from Malé to reach Bulgaria without an intermediate connection.
Under the announced schedule, flights from Malé to Sofia will operate every Friday, departing Malé at 4.30pm and arriving in the Bulgarian capital at 11.30pm local time. Flights from Sofia to Malé will operate every Saturday, departing at 7.45pm and arriving in the Maldives at 7.15am.
The flights will be operated using GullivAir’s Airbus A330-200, which is deployed on the airline’s long-haul services. Passengers will receive two hot meals and beverages during the flight, while baggage allowances and additional services will vary according to the fare selected at booking.
The launch provides the Maldives with a direct link to the Bulgarian market during the country’s main outbound winter travel period. At the same time, the route creates a new direct European connection for travellers from the Maldives.
Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital, serves as a gateway to a range of winter, cultural and wellness destinations. Bulgaria’s established ski areas include Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo, while destinations such as Velingrad, Hisarya and Sandanski are known for mineral-water spas and wellness tourism.
The country also offers cultural and historical attractions including Sofia’s archaeological and religious sites, Plovdiv, Rila Monastery and Veliko Tarnovo. GullivAir said the direct connection would allow travellers from the Maldives to combine city stays, skiing, mountain experiences, spa visits and cultural tourism within one trip.
For the Maldivian tourism sector, the service adds another direct European connection for the 2026/27 winter season and provides easier access for travellers originating in Bulgaria. The route also broadens air connectivity between the Maldives and Southeast Europe at a time when direct services remain an important factor in facilitating leisure travel to the destination.
GullivAir is a Bulgarian airline operating international passenger services from Sofia. The airline said it is developing its scheduled network with a focus on direct connections between Bulgaria and international leisure and business destinations.
