The Maldives’ Ambassador to China, Dr Fazeel Najeeb, has expressed confidence in the success of Maldivian’s newly launched wide-body operations to China, citing strong demand in the Chinese tourism market. Speaking to state media, he described the initiative as a significant achievement for the national carrier and an important step towards strengthening the Maldives’ economic and cultural ties with China.
Dr Fazeel noted that the scale of China’s middle-class population, combined with the growing interest in Maldives tourism, provides a substantial opportunity for Maldivian’s direct flight operations to Beijing and Chengdu. He also stressed the importance of maintaining this service to ensure its long-term success and urged public cooperation to support the airline’s efforts. The development, he said, is a source of national pride and a reflection of the close attention the Chinese media pays to Maldivian developments.
The wide-body Airbus A330-200, recently acquired by Island Aviation Services Ltd., features a seating capacity of 264 passengers across three cabin classes: economy, business, and premium. To celebrate its introduction, Maldivian has launched promotional fares, offering prices that are 30% to 50% lower than current market rates. Passengers will also enjoy a 40kg baggage allowance and in-flight meal services.
Plans are also underway to acquire another wide-body aircraft, enabling the launch of flights to European destinations by October this year. These initiatives mark an ambitious step forward for the national airline, aiming to capitalise on strong tourism demand while enhancing the Maldives’ connectivity to major international markets.
