Maldivian's wide-body fleet to start flights in late October
Island Aviation announced in January that it would lease a long-haul Boeing 787 to launch its wide-body aircraft operations.
By
Ahmed Mizyal
The national airline ‘Maldivian’ will start operations of its wide-body aircraft around October this year, Transport Minister Mohammed Ameen said on Monday evening.
Introducing wide-body aircrafts into the national carrier's operations in the first 100 days of the current government is a pledge made by President Mohammed Muizzu, and true to his word the cabinet has decided to assist the national carrier in bringing two wide-body aircrafts to expand flights to destinations that can bring more tourists to the Maldives.
Speaking at the government's 'Ahaa' forum to answer public questions, Ameen said Maldivian's wide body aircraft operations have made great progress. However, the minister said it would take time to change the registration to Maldives after purchasing the aircraft.
"So before the end of this year, hopefully, by late October or November, the national airline will be set [scheduled] to start flying to Chinese cities and some European cities. By then, the national airline will have started with wide body operations," he said.
Island Aviation announced in January that it would lease a long-haul Boeing 787 to launch its wide-body aircraft operations. The company is also going to dry lease an Airbus A330 for international flights.
The Cabinet had decided to provide government assistance to the national airline to bring in two wide-body aircrafts to expand flights to tourist destinations.
