Maldivian, the national carrier of the Maldives, is set to expand its global reach by launching direct flights to three key cities in China and introducing wide-body aircraft for international operations. As part of its growth strategy, the airline will connect Velana International Airport (VIA) with Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu starting next year, using its newly acquired Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
The first wide-body aircraft is expected to arrive on 7 January 2025, marking a significant step in Maldivian’s expansion plans. In a recent interview with state media, Maldivian’s Deputy Managing Director, Ali Saleem, confirmed that the airline is making preparations to begin these new wide-body operations.
Saleem described the expansion as an important milestone for the airline. “This will significantly boost the endeavour,” he said. He further explained that the new routes to China will help carry around 60,000 passengers annually to the Maldives, providing substantial financial benefits for the airline. “With these flights to China, we will be able to carry 60,000 passengers a year as planned. This will also bring financial benefits. And the expansion of our services to the world will also help the airline’s growth,” Saleem added.
The Maldives has long relied on China as a primary source market for its tourism industry, and the addition of these direct flights is expected to strengthen this relationship. After launching services to China, the airline is looking to expand into the European market. Maldivian’s Chief Strategist, Mohamed Saffah, revealed that the initial focus will be on the Chinese market. “The flights will first start to Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing in China. And we are working very hard to start flights to Europe,” Saffah stated.
Maldivian will operate flights to these three Chinese cities three times a week, offering a variety of classes, including economy, business, and premier class. The introduction of wide-body aircraft is expected to enhance the airline’s capacity, enabling it to better serve international markets and meet growing demand.
With these strategic moves, Maldivian is positioning itself to become a more prominent player on the global aviation stage, strengthening its connections with both Chinese travellers and tourists from Europe.
