Here are quick, practical ways to find cheap Colombo (CMB) → Malé, Maldives (MLE) flights, plus current price ranges and the airlines to check.

Snapshot of current fares (recent searches):

• One‑way fares have been seen from about $120–$220. (us.Trip.com)
• Round‑trip deals commonly range around $240–$380 depending on dates and carrier. (Google.com)

Airlines that frequently fly CMB → MLE (direct and cheap options to check)

• FitsAir (often one of the cheapest nonstop options). (Trip.com)
• Gulf Air (regular nonstop services and good deals). (Google.com)
• SriLankan Airlines, Flydubai, China Southern, and some regionals/charters — compare these for different dates. (Google.com)

How to find the absolute cheapest fare (step‑by‑step)

1. Search flexible dates: use Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Kayak “±3 days” or monthly view to spot the cheapest travel days. (Google Flights and other metasearch sites show date heatmaps.) (Google.com)
2. Compare OTAs and airline sites: check Trip.com, Expedia, Travelocity and the airline’s own website — sometimes an OTA shows a lower price, sometimes the carrier does. (travelocity.com)
3. Set price alerts: on Google Flights / Skyscanner / Kayak so you’ll be notified if a fare drops. (Google.com)
4. Be flexible on airports/times: CMB → MLE is short (about 1.25–1.5 hours nonstop) so shifting a day or flying a late/early flight often saves money. (Google.com)
5. Consider one‑way mix & match: sometimes two one‑way tickets (different airlines) are cheaper than a round trip. Search that option. (Expedia.com)
6. Book luggage wisely: the cheapest fares may be basic fares without checked baggage — add baggage only when needed to avoid surprises. (Check fare rules before booking.)

Timing and season tips

• Low season (May–November) often has lower fares but more rain. High season (Dec–Mar) is priciest. If you can travel in shoulder/low season you’ll usually find the best deals. (Google.com)
• For short regional routes like CMB–MLE, good deals often appear 1–8 weeks before departure; still check earlier if you need specific dates or travel in peak season. (Expedia.com)

Quick recommended searches (start here)

• Google Flights: quick date grid and best outbound/inbound combos. (Google.com)
• Trip.com and Expedia: compare OTA pricing and exact advertised low fares. (Trip.com)
• Check FitsAir and Gulf Air directly for low nonstop fares. (Trip.com)

If you want, I can:

• Search specific travel dates you have in mind and return the cheapest current options, or
• Set up a side‑by‑side comparison for a date range (e.g., next 30–90 days).

Which would you prefer — specific dates to search now, or should I look for the next‑available lowest fares (flexible dates)?