News Desk
MALÉ, — The national carrier’s recently introduced wide-body aircraft has transported over 67,000 passengers during its first 16 months of operation, demonstrating strong economic utility and strategic value, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen announced in Majlis on Tuesday.
The minister provided the metrics in response to questions from Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) regarding the aircraft’s commercial success, current flight routes, and long-term expansion plans beyond traditional hubs like India and China.
Minister Ameen detailed that out of the 67,000 total passengers, more than 55,000 were international tourists visiting the archipelago. Beyond routine commercial flights, the wide-body aircraft has been actively chartered to facilitate Hajj travel to Saudi Arabia.
Wide-Body Fleet Operational Blueprint
Scheduled Destinations
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China: Regular scheduled operations servicing three major cities.
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Australia: Direct long-haul flights connecting the Maldives to the oceania market.
Peak Season & High-Demand Contingencies
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Saudi Arabia: Direct flights to Jeddah during high-demand pilgrimage and peak travel windows.
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India: Strategic capacity boosts to Trivandrum and Cochin.
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Bangladesh: Deployed to Dhaka when passenger volumes exceed the capacity of the airline’s narrow-body fleet.
Minister Ameen strongly defended the state’s investment in the large-capacity aircraft, countering concerns regarding fiscal strain. He argued that capital investment in modern aviation assets should not be viewed simply as a drain on corporate finances, but rather measured by its net macroeconomic contribution to national tourism and supply chain security.
Policy Focus: The minister highlighted that maintaining independent wide-body capability is vital for national security. Pointing to past disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic—where state-operated Airbus flights were critical for securing essential pharmaceuticals—Ameen noted that having long-range aircraft ensures the Maldives remains connected even if international carriers suspend operations due to rising geopolitical conflicts in regions like the Middle East.
