Emirates Appoints Exclusive Lead for Maldives Operations

Rashid Al Ardha will begin serving as the new Manager for Sri Lanka and the Maldives on August 1st, according to an announcement from Emirates. Chandana de Silva will transition into a new position as the airline's Manager Government Liaison - Sri Lanka and the Maldives, while Rashid will fill the position she previously held.

Rashid's new position entails supporting Emirates' business goals, managing the airline's activities in the two island countries, and upholding vital connections with numerous stakeholders. He has been serving as Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei since 2019 and will continue to answer to Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for West Asia and the Indian Ocean at Emirates. Rashid was the Indonesian Country Manager prior to his position in Singapore.

Over the past 15 years, Chandana de Silva, who has worked for Emirates since 2008, has been instrumental in guiding the airline's operations, fostering growth, and solidifying Emirates' presence in the nation. His extensive background in the aviation sectors of the two nations will be used to help Emirates' operations in Sri Lanka and the Maldives expand in the future.

Ahmed Khoory, SVP of Commercial Operations for West Asia and the Indian Ocean, commented on the two appointments, saying, "I would like to warmly congratulate Chandana for his contributions to Emirates' success in both Sri Lanka and the Maldives during his stint as Country Manager. We wish him great success in his new and significant position, where he will focus on fostering enduring partnerships with government stakeholders and authorities and applying the priceless knowledge he has earned throughout an accomplished career with us.

"Let me also express my congratulations to Rashid on his new position and my best wishes for success in it. Rashid's experience in a variety of markets will help us serve clients in new ways and address particular problems facing the sector, said Khoory.

Emirates began offering flights to Sri Lanka in 1986, and over 11 million people have traveled on the route since then. Currently, the airline operates two daily direct flights to Colombo as well as a third daily route through Male. Additionally, it is the only foreign airline that offers First Class services to the nation.

Emirates has helped the Maldives develop and flourish both commercially and in terms of tourism for more than 35 years. The distinguished international carrier began service to Male on May 27, 1987, and currently connects tourists and exporters to a network of over 140 passenger and cargo destinations with 28 flights per week between Dubai and the Maldives.