Yesterday, at 0731 hrs, a Manta Air sea plane crash took place while landing at Velana International Airport’s eastern water aerodrome.
According to a press release by Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL), the company’s Water Aerodrome Airport Rescue & Fire Fighting team along with MNDF attended the crash site immediately. No casualties have been reported and all passengers along with the crew have been transferred to health facilities for evaluation. Investigations have already begun by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority’s team and aircraft recovery works are in progress.
MACL states that after final inspection, the seaplane water aerodrome was opened for departures at 0855 hrs and for arrivals at 0917 hrs. Furthermore, there was no operational disruption for wheel-based runway movements.
In a tweet, Manta Air thanked the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and MACLfor their assistance following the crash. The airline also extended their gratitude to the hospitals that treated the injured after the crash, and noted the professionalism displayed by their crew in taking care of passengers during the incident.
Declaring that their top priority now was to provide any and all assistance to the families of the passengers and crew on board the crashed seaplane, Manta Air said that they would continue efforts to use media in maintaining transparency in communicating with the public on all matters.
