Aerospace Diary

Neelam Mathews Nov 15, 2012 Even as an Airbus ACJ319 with the fuel-saving Sharklet option has been ordered by a Chinese customer, in the first deal for this version from the country, Maldivian Airlines, the national carrier of the Maldives has become a new operator of Airbus single aisle aircraft, following the first commercial flight of an A320 on the inaugural flight from Male to Chennai.  The aircraft, operated under a leasing agreement, is the first A320 Maldivian will fly to destinations in the Indian sub-continent. “This signifies the increasing expansion of Maldivian in the region,” commented Abdul Haris, Managing Director of Maldivian. “We will start our A320 operations with direct flights to Mumbai, Chennai and Dhaka, much-anticipated routes for our customers.” 

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, Jum...