The national carrier Maldivian is set to begin scheduled flights with its newly acquired Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft on January 21, with the first route connecting Chengdu, China, to Malé.
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen shared the update during an interview on PSM News’ Raajje Miadhu programme, confirming that preparations are nearing completion. “The first scheduled flight will be on January 21 to Chengdu. It takes time to launch operations after acquiring a new aircraft,” he explained.
Minister Ameen elaborated on the technical steps involved, noting that the aircraft had been re-registered under the Maldives after previously being registered abroad. Additionally, the operations crew has undergone training and final preparations to ensure readiness for the inaugural flight.
The Airbus A330-200, which officially joined the national fleet following an inauguration ceremony at Velana International Airport (VIA), is a key part of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to strengthen Island Aviation Services Ltd. by introducing two wide-body aircraft.
The newly added aircraft, known for its advanced engineering and reliability, has a seating capacity of 264 passengers across three cabin classes: economy, business, and premium. During the welcoming event, President Muizzu described the occasion as “a historic day in the aviation sector of the country” and reiterated that efforts are underway to operationalize a second wide-body aircraft by October.
In addition to Chengdu, Maldivian plans to launch flights to two more major Chinese cities—Beijing and Shanghai. The airline anticipates that the wide-body aircraft will help bring an additional 60,000 tourists to the Maldives annually, further strengthening the country’s tourism sector.
The introduction of the Airbus A330-200 is expected to play a significant role in expanding Maldivian’s international operations, enhancing connectivity, and reinforcing the Maldives’ status as a world-class travel destination. The aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art safety features and meets the latest regulatory standards, ensuring a secure and comfortable travel experience for all passengers.
