In a historic milestone, Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has commenced its first wide-body operations with the arrival of the Airbus A330-200. The event, celebrated at Velana International Airport, marks a significant expansion for the airline as it enters its 25th year of service, enhancing its capacity to connect the Maldives with more international destinations and travelers worldwide.
The special occasion was graced by the presence of the President of the Maldives, His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu, along with the Vice President, Hussain Mohamed Latheef, and several government dignitaries and senior officials. This momentous achievement underscores Maldivian’s commitment to expanding its global reach and bolstering the nation’s tourism industry.
Mr Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services, emphasized the significance of the new aircraft in the company’s growth strategy, stating, “With the introduction of our very first wide-body aircraft, we are now poised to expand our international flight capacity, open new routes, and connect the Maldives to long-haul destinations. This transformative step will not only strengthen our position as a global airline but also play a pivotal role in boosting the Maldives’ tourism sector by making our islands more accessible to travellers from around the world.”
President Muizzu further revealed that, with the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Finance, Island Aviation, and the Ministry of Transport nearing completion, a second wide-body aircraft is expected to be ready for flight by October, further expanding the airline’s fleet and capabilities.
Enhanced Comfort and Connectivity
The new Maldivian A330-200 aircraft offers three cabin classes, accommodating 264 passengers in total. With 18 seats in Business Class, 36 in Premium Economy, and 210 in Economy Class, the aircraft ensures a comfortable journey for all travelers. This addition to the fleet will enable the launch of direct flights to three major cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, strengthening the airline’s global connectivity and attracting more visitors from China and beyond.
Expanding Global Reach
The introduction of the wide-body Airbus A330-200 significantly enhances Maldivian’s long-haul flight capabilities. The airline plans to further expand its routes to key destinations in Europe and South Africa, leveraging the increased passenger capacity and extended range of the new aircraft to better serve its international routes and meet the growing demand for travel between the Maldives, China, and key tourist destinations worldwide.
As Maldivian celebrates this historic milestone, the airline remains committed to providing exceptional service, comfort, and connectivity to its passengers while contributing to the growth and prosperity of the Maldives’ tourism industry. With its expanded fleet and global reach, Maldivian is poised to soar to new heights in the years to come.
Island Aviation Services is a Maldivian airline and member of the Maldives Tourism Industry Council. For more information, visit www.maldivian.aero.
