President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that Maldivian, the national carrier, will begin operations with wide-body aircraft in early January. The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the Social Centre to commemorate the government’s first year in office.
The President revealed that the inaugural wide-body aircraft, with a seating capacity of 275 passengers, will be operational by January. This new addition is expected to enable Maldivian to expand its reach, offering direct flights to long-haul destinations that were previously inaccessible with the airline’s existing fleet.
As part of the expansion, Maldivian plans to introduce flights to destinations in China and Europe over the course of the coming year. Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, speaking last December, indicated that Maldivian aims to acquire two wide-body aircraft within six months. These new aircraft will support routes to seven additional destinations, including three cities in China, Johannesburg in South Africa, and three cities in Europe.
Previously, Maldivian operated flights to China and South Africa using Airbus models, but these aircraft required transit stops due to limitations in range. The introduction of wide-body aircraft is expected to address this issue, allowing for non-stop long-haul flights.
Currently, Maldivian’s fleet consists of 15 aircraft, including one Airbus A320, two ATR models, and the remainder being Dash aircraft. The Airbus A320 is currently the only aircraft used for international routes. Maldivian serves 17 domestic destinations, along with international flights to India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
The new wide-body aircraft are seen as a significant step towards expanding Maldivian’s international network and improving connectivity for travellers, both locally and internationally. The addition of long-haul flights to the airline’s schedule is expected to boost tourism and enhance the Maldives’ status as a key travel hub in the region.
