Maldivian expands regional footprint – flights to Mumbai, Chennai and Dhaka (Video on Maldives)

Neelam Mathews

Sept 28, 2012

Starting Nov 15, Maldivian, the national carrier of the Maldives, will launch direct services from Mumbai, Chennai and Dhaka to Male.

To cater to the new direct routes, Maldivian will be adding a 154-seat Airbus 320 aircraft to its fleet by October 2012. Presently, the fleet consists of 2 Dash8-200 series aircraft (37 seats) and 3 Dash8-300 series aircraft (50 seats).

Abdul Harris, Managing Director, Maldivian, said. "We are entering new passenger markets where we see a need for more air services, particularly where such markets are under served and in need for extra capacity", he said.

Maldivian, which has only been in operation for 12 years, began its operations to Trivandrum, India in January 2007.

Maldivian already works in partnership with a number of key resorts in the country such as Island Hideaway at Dhonakulhi, J Resorts Alidhoo, Waldorf Astoria Maldives, Six Senses Laamu, Park Hyatt Maldives, Robinson Club Maldives, Jumeirah Dhevanafushi, The Residence Maldives, Ayada Maldives, Shangri-la’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Herathera Island Resort and Equator Village. The carrier is looking forward to working with more resorts in the forthcoming months with the introduction of the newest domestic route – Dharavandhoo Airport, Baa Atoll.

The domestic network links the main international airport Ibrahim Nasir International Airport to rest of the country. Maldives being a vastly scattered island nation, travel from the islands to the Capital of the country is always a challenge. Transportation services (albeit via air or sea) play a key role in connecting the tiny islands.