Maldivian is the airline division of Island Aviation Services and is based in Malé, Maldives. As the flag carrier of the Maldives, they operate international flights in addition to inter-island services, with its main hub at Velana International Airport.

History On 23 April 2009, the Maldivian government, under a Presidential decree, incorporated Island Aviation Services Limited as a wholly government-owned limited company. The airline began operations with a fleet comprising one Bombardier Dash 8 Q200 and two Dornier 228 aircraft, serving only domestic airports within the Maldives. International operations commenced on 26 January 2008, with scheduled flights to Thiruvananthapuram, India. On 25 August 2008, the airline division was rebranded as Maldivian.

In 2023, Maldivian started using new generation ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 aircraft in its fleet, replacing its older Dash 8 aircraft. On 6 January 2025, Maldivian introduced its first widebody aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, with plans to add a second A330 and a Boeing 787-8. The airline is also seeking destinations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The inaugural flight was to Chengdu in China.

Destinations Maldivian flies to the following destinations on scheduled domestic and international service as of January 2025: +Domestic and international destinations Country City Airport NotesRefMelbourneMelbourne AirportBeijingBeijing Capital International Airport ChengduChengdu Tianfu International Airport ShanghaiShanghai Pudong International Airport ShenzhenShenzhen Bao'an International AirportXi'anXi'an Xianyang International AirportBengaluruKempegowda International AirportKochiCochin International Airport TrivandrumThiruvananthapuram International Airport DharavandhooDharavandhoo AirportFaresmathodaFaresmathoda Airport FunadhooFunadhoo Airport FuvahmulahFuvahmulah Airport GanGan International Airport HanimaadhooHanimaadhoo International Airport HoarafushiHoarafushi Airport IfuruIfuru Airport KaadedhdhooKaadedhdhoo Airport KadhdhooKadhdhoo Airport KooddooKooddoo Airport KulhudhuffushiKulhudhuffushi Airport MaafaruMaafaru International Airport MaavaruluMaavarulu Airport MadivaruMadivaru Airport MaléVelana International AirportThimarafushiThimarafushi Airport MuliMuli Airport BangkokSuvarnabhumi International Airport

+Maldivian seaplane operating destinations Country Atoll Resort NotesRefBaa AtollAnathara Kihavahuravalhi Four Seasons Private Island Hirundu Island Resort Vakkaru Island Resort KamadhooFulhadhooDhaalu AtollDoores Island Retreat Kandima Island Resort Maagau Island Resort Niyaama Private Islands Noonu AtollRobinson Club Noonu VelidhooRaa AtollKudafushi Island Resort Thaa AtollMaalifushi Island Resort

Codeshare agreements Maldivian has codeshare agreements with the following airline: Qatar Airways

Interline agreements Maldivian has interline agreements with the following airlines: Air India Azerbaijan Airlines Emirates Etihad Airways

Fleet Fleet development

In 2000, Island Aviation Services operated one De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 and two Dornier 228s at the time, and in late 2004, they ordered one De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 to expand the fleet. In 2006, the airline ordered two Dash 8-300s. The first aircraft delivery was in 2007, and the other in 2008. In 2006, all Dornier 228 aircraft were phased out. In 2008, Island Aviation Services re-branded as Maldivian and handed over as the flag carrier of the Maldives. In 2011, the airline ordered one Airbus A320-200 for wider routes, with it being delivered in 2012. In late 2012, a new Dash 8-300 was delivered. In 2013, they ordered five more Dash 8-300s, with the final being delivered in 2018. In 2014, Maldivian introduced the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, with their last one being delivered in 2018. Later in 2014, Maldivian ordered one Airbus A321-200. In late 2022, the A321 retired. In early 2023, Maldivian had taken delivery of three ATR aircraft and ordered five more aircraft. In July 2024, Maldivian ordered their first wide-body aircraft, the Airbus A330-200, being delivered on 6 January 2025.

Current fleet

, Maldivian operates the following aircraft: + Maldivian fleet Aircraft In service Order Passengers NotesFCWYTotalAirbus A320-2001—14—138152Deliveries from 2025.Airbus A330-20011—1836210264Deliveries from October 2025.ATR 42-60032———4646Deliveries from 2024 to 2026.ATR 72-6002————7070De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300112———1515 Seaplane service.De Havilland Canada Dash 8-3002————5050To be phased out.Total225

+ Maldivian medevac fleetAircraftIn serviceOrderPassengersRemarksDe Havilland Canada Dash 8-2001—Medevac As Maldives Emergency Medical Services (MEMS).

Former fleet + Maldivian historic fleetAircraftTotalintroducedRetiredReplacement aircraftRemarkAirbus A321-200120152022——ATR 72-500120222023ATR 72-600Leased from Swiftair due to delay of new ATR 72-600 aircraft deliveries.De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300720072024ATR 42/72One sold, one scrapped and one in storage.De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200120002024ATR 42/72—de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300220142017——de Havilland Canada DHC-6-200HG120152017——Dornier 228220002012Dash 8 -Total9

Livery The first livery used by the airline (Island Aviation) featured a wave pattern along the bottom of the fuselage along with two dolphins and two tuna fish. The logo was placed in the center of the tail. Along with the re-branding of Maldivian, a new livery was introduced. The new livery saw the removal of the wave pattern to a plain white fuselage, and the addition of a blue wave, with one dolphin jumping out of the water on the tail of the aircraft.

Other services As of June 2024, Island Aviation Services provides the following services at all public airports of the Maldives.

Aircraft engineering services Ground control Flight operations Aerodrome operation Refueling services

Lounges Maldivian operates three lounges in the Maldives: Moonimaa lounge at Malé and Kashimaa lounges at both Hanimaadhoo and Dharavandhoo airports.

References

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