During a ceremony marking the first year of the government’s rule, President Muizzu declared that Maldivian, the country’s carrier, will start operating wide-body aircraft in early January 2025.
By January 2025, the first wide-body aircraft, which can accommodate 275 passengers, will be in service. With direct flights to long-haul locations previously unreachable with the airline’s current fleet, this new aircraft is expected to aid Maldivian in broadening its customer base.
Over the next year, Maldivian intends to launch flights to locations in China and Europe as part of the growth. Speaking in December of last year, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen stated that Maldivia wants to purchase two wide-body planes in the next six months. Seven more destinations, including three cities in China, Johannesburg, South Africa, and three cities in Europe, will be served by these new planes.
In the past, Maldivian used Airbus models to fly flights to China and South Africa, however these aircraft’s range restrictions necessitated transit stops. This problem should be resolved with the advent of wide-body aircraft, which will enable nonstop long-haul travel.
The 15 aircraft in Maldivian’s fleet at the moment include two ATR types, one Airbus A320, and the remaining Dash planes. At the moment, the only aircraft utilized for foreign flights is the Airbus A320. Maldivian offers international flights to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India in addition to 17 domestic destinations.
The new wide-body aircraft are thought to be a big step in the direction of growing Maldivian’s global network and enhancing connection for tourists both domestically and abroad. It is anticipated that the airline’s long-haul flight schedule will increase tourism and solidify the Maldives’ position as a major regional travel center.
