Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, is set to introduce wide-body aircraft into its fleet, with services aimed to start later this year, as Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen announced.
In a media interview, Minister Ameen detailed the challenges confronting Maldivian, highlighting financial strains primarily caused by over-employment and the consequent increase in operational expenses. The incorporation of wide-body aircraft is a key component of a wider plan aimed at rejuvenating and extending the airline’s international reach.
Minister Ameen highlighted that the procurement of wide-body aircraft is underway, in line with the government’s detailed business plan for the airline. The target is to commence operations with these aircraft either in September or early October of this year.
The plan includes identifying and establishing international flight destinations for Maldivian. While the initial launch may not cover all intended destinations, the network will progressively expand as more aircraft become available. The minister indicated that the destinations under consideration span various regions, including China, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East.
This development represents a significant step in the Maldives’ efforts to increase tourist arrivals and enhance its position in the global tourism market. The inclusion of wide-body aircraft in Maldivian’s fleet is expected to provide a substantial boost to the airline’s capacity and range, enabling it to reach further into key tourist markets.
As the airline prepares for this significant expansion, there is a growing sense of anticipation for the new opportunities that these changes will bring to both the airline and the nation’s tourism industry.
