Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has added the first Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft to its fleet.
On January 6, 2025, the airline announced the arrival of the Airbus A330-200, calling it a “historic milestone”. This addition comes during the airline’s 25th anniversary, having started in 2000 with just two aircraft.
The inauguration event took place at Velana International Airport (MLE) on the same day and was attended by Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Maldives, and Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Vice President, plus various government officials and senior officials.
An air show featuring Maldivian’s Dash-8, DHC-6 Twin Otters, and ATR aircraft showcased the current fleet of the airline during the event.
“With the introduction of our very first wide-body aircraft, we are now poised to expand our international flight capacity, open new routes, and connect the Maldives to long-haul destinations,” said Ibrahim Iyas, Island Aviation Services’ Managing Director.
The new A330-200 aircraft will have three cabin classes, providing seating for 264 passengers.
This aircraft will allow direct flights to three major Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. This expansion is expected to provide a “substantial boost” to the Maldives’ tourism industry, attracting more visitors from China and beyond.
Additionally, with the Airbus A330-200, Maldivian is set to significantly enhance its long-haul flight capabilities, the statement read. The airline plans to further expand its routes to key destinations in Europe and South Africa.
The increased passenger capacity and extended range of the new aircraft will “allow the airline to better serve” its international routes and “meet the growing demand” for travel between the Maldives, China, and key tourist destinations, Maldivian said.
