Maldives and Ethiopia have signed an air services agreement paving the way for scheduled flights between the two countries.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the Ministry of Transport by Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen and Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority Director General Yohannes Abera.

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

He said the agreement will facilitate the launch of scheduled air services between the Maldives and Ethiopia.

"The air services agreement comes at a time when Ethiopian Airlines has expressed interest in launching direct flights from Addis Ababa to the Maldives," Ameen said.

He noted that Ethiopia is one of Africa's fastest-growing economies and that Ethiopian Airlines is the continent's largest carrier, operating the widest route network in Africa.

According to the minister, the agreement will enable Ethiopian Airlines to begin flights to the Maldives while also allowing the national carrier, Maldivian, to operate direct services to Ethiopia, creating new opportunities for tourism and trade.

Minister Ameen said increasing tourist arrivals and expanding the tourism industry in a sustainable manner remains a key government objective.

He added that the agreement marks another step towards the government's goal of improving direct air connectivity between the Maldives and major international aviation hubs.