The national carrier, Maldivian, has transported more than 80,000 passengers since inaugurating wide-body operations last year, Ibrahim Iyas, managing director of Island Aviation Services Limited, announced on a special PSM News broadcast.
The expansion fulfils a pledge by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. On January 6 of last year, the airline introduced a 264-seat Airbus A330-200, initially launching routes to three destinations in China, where it carried over 40,000 tourists, including 20,000 first-time visitors. Navigating fluctuating demand, the single aircraft has executed scheduled and chartered flights to India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and religious services to Makkah for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
"Combining the entirety of these flights conducted to date, approximately more than 80,000 passengers have been served by this specific wide-body aircraft," Iyas explained. "Furthermore, we have transported over 1,800 tonnes of cargo aboard this large aircraft." Securing such growth within a year utilising one aircraft represents a significant advancement for the Maldivian economy and commercial sectors, Iyas observed, calling the performance a crucial milestone in scaling national airline services.
Broadening Maldivian's international scope remains a primary government objective. In alignment with commitments by President Muizzu, the government is preparing to acquire an additional wide-body aircraft. Island Aviation is working to ensure the arrival of this second aircraft to the country by the latter part of this year, officials confirmed.