Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian has annulled its first announcement, to issue a fresh one, seeking proposals for a second wide-body aircraft.
Maldivian introduced its first wide-body aircraft to its fleet on 6 this January this year, fulfilling a key presidential pledge by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. While the Airbus A330-200, which has 264 seats, is currently in service, Maldivian sought to add a second wide-body aircraft to its fleet.
An airline official told PSM News that a fresh announcement has been made to seek more interested parties to add to the ones that has already expressed interest to the first announcement made in February.
Maldivian’s parent company, Island Aviation Service Limited (IASL) said the deadline will expire on 26 April.
Maldivian is seeking to lease a second aircraft of the same model for a five-year period.
Maldivian has launched direct flights to three Chinese cities, Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu with its first wide-body aircraft. Delivering this year’s Presidential Statement, President Muizzu said the acquisition of a second wide-body aircraft would introduce Maldivian’s direct flights to European destinations. The government aims to commence these flights by October this year.
The government believes the acquisition of a second wide-body aircraft will significantly boost Maldives’ tourism. The government hopes to increase the number of tourists visiting the Maldives from long-haul markets with the launch of direct flights to these destinations.