Maldivian Adds King Air 360 for Luxury Resort Transfers and Private Charters
- Maldivian added an eight-seat Beechcraft King Air 360 for luxury resort transfers and private charters.
- The aircraft primarily serves Nilaa Coral Island and offers flexible departure times for night arrivals.
- The airline plans to expand its charter offering across the country as part of fleet modernisation.
Maldivian has added an eight-seat Beechcraft King Air 360 to its fleet for luxury resort transfers and private charters within the Maldives. The aircraft will primarily serve Nilaa Coral Island and will also be available to other resorts, businesses, individuals and groups.
The national airline unveiled the twin-engine turboprop at Velana International Airport on 2 November as part of its fleet modernisation programme. The aircraft will handle the air leg of transfers serving Nilaa Coral Island in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. Guests reach the resort by speedboat from Maavarulu Airport.
Ali Saleem, Deputy Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Limited, which operates Maldivian, said the airline regularly receives requests for dedicated transfers from travellers arriving at night, after seaplane services have ended for the day.
Maldivian said charter customers will be able to request departure times that suit their itineraries. Where a direct flight is available, the service could reduce waits between connecting flights. The King Air 360 also has a higher published maximum cruise speed than the ATR aircraft Maldivian uses on its scheduled domestic routes.
Ahmed Shafeeu, Chairman of Island Aviation Services Limited, said the airline aims to bring its transfer service in line with the standards guests expect at luxury resorts. He said Maldivian plans to expand the charter offering across the country.
