Yesterday, Beond, a premium leisure airline, unveiled its unique aircraft livery at an event in Malé, Maldives. Dignitaries, investors, supporters, and employees were in attendance. The airline presented its inaugural aircraft, an Airbus A319, equipped with 44 all-lay-flat seats for a luxurious passenger experience.
“Welcome to Beond. Our aim is simple: to fly our customers to Maldives. At this unique and unspoiled destination, they can release their inner explorer on the most memorable vacation of their lives,” said Tero Taskila, CEO of Beond and a founder. “We could not be more pleased to showcase our aircraft in Maldives, our home. We wish especially to thank the government of Maldives and our supporters there, the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, SIMDI Group and other investors from around the world — each of whom believed in our vision for a new airline in Maldives. Our team will do its best to bring tourists to this beautiful nation.”
Beond’s inaugural flights are scheduled for November 2023, with the Riyadh inaugural departing November 9, the Munich inaugural departing November 15, and the Zurich inaugural departing November 17. Early bird customers have chartered the aircraft to experience the Maldives between today and the scheduled service launch.
“Today is the realisation of a dream I first had for years,” said Max Nilov, Chief Strategy Officer of Beond and principal founder. “I had a dream of this airline, for this aircraft, and for this experience for passengers. We have created a premium experience coupled with an unmatched operating philosophy.”
Sascha Feuerherd, Chief Commercial Officer of Beond: “The response by customers and stakeholders have been excellent in our launch cities — which was to be expected. And now the interest has grown from other new origins on our route map. I look forward to greeting our first passengers as they board.”
Beond will fly a fleet of state-of-the-art Airbus A320-family aircraft in a unique luxury, lay-flat configuration, bringing passengers to Maldives from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. This first Beond aircraft will be displayed at the Dubai Air Show in mid-November. Additional Airbus aircraft will join the Beond fleet in late 2023 and early 2024.
Upon the arrival of Beond’s first aircraft, SIMDI Group expressed their satisfaction at being part of unveiling the world’s first premium leisure airline. SIMDI has played a significant role in shaping the Maldivian tourism industry for over two decades, introducing some of the first luxury resorts in the nation. Their vision is to showcase the Maldives to the world in a distinctive manner.
Beond is actively establishing a positive presence in the Maldives. Before commencing its services, the airline has already employed over 75 individuals in the Maldives and plans to hire approximately 1,600 pilots and cabin crew members for its operations in the country. Additionally, Beond expects to contribute to creating around 1,300 jobs, both directly and indirectly, within the Maldives’ tourism industry over the next five years.
As part of its commitment to being a responsible corporate entity in the Maldives, Beond will dedicate the next six months to developing community-focused initiatives in healthcare, education and promoting equal opportunities.
