Maldivian Wide-Body Flights Transport 80,000 Passengers in First Year of Operation

The national carrier, Maldivian, has transported over 80,000 passengers since launching its wide-body operations last year, marking a significant expansion in the country's international aviation capacity. Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Limited, announced the milestone during a special broadcast on PSM News. The expansion fulfills a key pledge by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to broaden the airline's reach. The operation began on January 6 of last year with the introduction of a 264-seat Airbus A330-200. Initial efforts focused on the Chinese market, where the aircraft carried over 40,000 tourists, including 20,000 visitors traveling to the Maldives for the first time. To manage fluctuating market demands, the airline utilized the single wide-body aircraft for a mix of scheduled and chartered flights. These routes extended beyond China to include India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. Additionally, the aircraft provided critical transport for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims traveling to Makkah. "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. Beyond passenger travel, the aircraft has also bolstered trade and logistics by transporting over 1,800 tonnes of cargo. Iyas noted that achieving this level of growth with a single aircraft represents a crucial milestone for the Maldivian economy and the commercial aviation sector. The success of the initial deployment underscores the viability of scaling the national carrier's international footprint. Expanding Maldivian's global scope remains a primary government objective. In alignment with President Muizzu's commitments, the government is now preparing to acquire a second wide-body aircraft. Officials from Island Aviation confirmed that they are working to ensure the new aircraft arrives in the Maldives by the latter part of this year, which is expected to further increase tourism arrivals and cargo capacity.