# Maldivian (airline)

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 twoDornier 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 2022 Maldivian Airlines started using new generation ATR 42/72 aircraft in its fleet, replacing its older Dash-8 aircraft. On 6 January 2025, Maldivian introduced its first widebody aircraft since 2018, an Airbus A330-200, with plans to add a second aircraft in October. 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 | Notes |
| China | Chengdu | Tianfu International Airport | |
| China | Shanghai | Pudong International Airport | |
| China | Beijing | Capital International Airport | |
| India | Cochin | Cochin International Airport | |
| India | Trivandrum | Thiruvananthapuram International Airport | |
| India | Bengaluru | Kempegowda International Airport | |
| Maldives | Malé | Velana International Airport | Hub |
| Maldives | Gan | Gan International Airport | |
| Maldives | Fuvahmulah | Fuvahmulah Airport | |
| Maldives | Hanimaadhoo | Hanimaadhoo International Airport | |
| Maldives | Kaadedhdhoo | Kaadedhdhoo Airport | |
| Maldives | Kadhdhoo | Kadhdhoo Airport | |
| Maldives | Kooddoo | Kooddoo Airport | |
| Maldives | Thimarafushi | Thimarafushi Airport | |
| Maldives | Ifuru | Ifuru Airport | |
| Maldives | Kulhudhuffushi | Kulhudhuffushi Airport | |
| Maldives | Maafaru | Maafaru International Airport | |
| Maldives | Funadhoo | Funadhoo Airport | |
| Maldives | Maavarulu | Maavarulu Airport | |
| Maldives | Hoarafushi | Hoarafushi Airport | |
| Maldives | Madivaru | Madivaru Airport | |
| Maldives | Faresmathoda | Faresmathoda Airport | |
| Maldives | Dharavandhoo | Dharavandhoo Airport | Focus city |
Maldivian Seaplane Operating Destinations :
| Country | Atoll | Resort |
| Maldives | Raa Atoll | Kudafushi Island Resort |
| Maldives | Baa Atoll | Anathara Kihavahuravalhi |
| Maldives | Baa Atoll | Four Seasons Private Island |
| Maldives | Baa Atoll | Vakkaru Island Resort |
| Maldives | Baa Atoll | Hirundu Island Resort |
| Maldives | Noonu Atoll | Robinson Club Noonu |
| Maldives | Dhaalu Atoll | Niyaama Private Islands |
| Maldives | Dhaalu Atoll | Kandima Island Resort |
| Maldives | Dhaalu Atoll | Doores Island Retreat |
| Maldives | Dhaalu Atoll | Maagau Island Resort |
| Maldives | Thaa Atoll | Maalifushi Island Resort |

### Codeshare and interline agreements

Maldivian has codeshare and interline agreements with the following airlines:

#### Codeshare agreements

* Qatar Airways

#### Interline agreements

* 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 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300s. The first aircraft delivery was in 2007, and another was delivered in 2008. In 2006, all Dornier 228 aircraft were phased out. In 2008, Island Aviation Services re-branded as Maldivian, 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 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 was delivered. In 2013, they ordered five more De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300s, with the final being delivered in 2018. In 2014 Maldivian introduced the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300, with their last one being delivered in 2018. In late 2014 Maldivian ordered one Airbus A321-200. As of 2022 Maldivian seeks new generation ATR aircraft to phase out older aircraft, and ordered one ATR 42-600 and two ATR 72-600s. In late 2022 the Airbus A321-200 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. Their second A330 is expected to be delivered in October 2025.

### Current fleet

Maldivian operates the following aircraft (as of 15 January 2025)
Maldivian fleet :
| Aircraft | In service | Order | Passengers | Passengers | Passengers | Passengers | Passengers | Notes |
| Aircraft | In service | Order | F | B | Y+ | Y | Total | Notes |
| Airbus A320-200 | 1 | 1 | | 14 | | 138 | 152 | Deliveries expected 2025 |
| Airbus A330-200 | 1 | 1 | | 18 | 36 | 210 | 264 | Deliveries expected in October 2025 |
| Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | — | 1 | | | | | TBA | To be leased in 2025 |
| ATR 42-600 | 2 | 3 | | | | 46 | 46 | Deliveries 2024-2026 |
| ATR 72-600 | 2 | — | | | | 70 | 70 |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 | 10 | — | | | | 15 | 15 | Seaplane service |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 | 1 | — | | | | 37 | 37 | to be phased out |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 | 6 | — | | | | 50 | 50 | To be phased out. Two are withdrawn from use. Four aircraft are in service. |
| Total | 23 | 6 |
Maldivian medevac fleet :
| Aircraft | in service | Order | introduced | Passengers | Remarks |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200 | 1 | — | 2024 | Medevac | as Maldives Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 | 1 | — | 2024 | Medevac | as Maldives Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) |
| Total | 2 | |

### Former fleet

Maldivian Historic fleet :
| Aircraft | fleet | introduced | Retired | Replacement aircraft | Remark |
| Airbus A321-200 | 1 | 2015 | 2022 | | |
| ATR 72-500 | 1 | 2022 | 2023 | | Lease due to delay of new ATR 72-600 aircraft |
| De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 | 2 | 2007 | 2024 | ATR 42/72 | One scrapped (8Q-IAM) |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 | 2 | 2014 | 2017 | — | — |
| de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 200 | 1 | 2015 | 2017 | — | Crashed as Maldivian Flight 7100 |
| Dornier 228 | 2 | 2000 | 2006 | — | (As Air Maldives) |
| Total | 9 |

## Livery

The first livery used by the airline (as 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 provide 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.