Maldivian (airline)

Maldivian

IATA ICAO Call sign Q2 DQA SKYSURFER
Founded	2000
Hubs	Velana International Airport
Alliance	–
Fleet size	25
Destinations	19
Parent company	Island Aviation Services (Maldivian state-owned corporation)
Headquarters	Malé
Employees	4500+
Website	www.maldivian.aero

Maldivian is the airline division of Island Aviation Services and is based in Malé, in the Maldives. It is the flag carrier airline of the Maldives. It operates international flights in addition to inter-island services. Its main base is Velana International Airport.

History

On 23 April 2009, the Government under a Presidential decree incorporated Island Aviation Services Limited as a limited liability company, one hundred percent owned by the Government of Maldives. The airline began operations with three aircraft; a Bombardier Dash 8 Q200; and 2 Dornier 228s and served only domestic airports within the Maldives. The airline commenced its international flights on 26 January 2008 with scheduled flights to Thiruvananthapuram, India. On 25 August 2008, the airline division of Island Aviation Services was re-branded as Maldivian.

Flight Q27100, a Viking Air De Havilland DHC-6-200 aircraft with registration marks 8Q-IAG, suffered an accident during three failed take-off attempts at Nature’s Paradise Island at 0926 hours on 16 November 2017. The aircraft had 12 passengers and three crew members destined to Velana International Airport. The aircraft experienced substantial damage.

Destinations

Maldivian flies to the following destinations on scheduled Domestic and International service as of March 2023:

Fleet

Maldivian operates the following aircraft (as of November 2024)

Maldivian A320-200

Maldivian Fleet

Aircraft	In Service	On Order	Passengers	Remark
Airbus A320-200	1	1	154	Delivery in 2024
Airbus A321neo	—	3	130	Deliveries expected 2026-2028
Airbus A330-900neo	—	23	264	Delivery in December 2024
Boeing 787 Dreamliner	—	TBA	TBA	To Be Leased On 2025
ATR 42-600	2	3	46	Deliveries 2024-2026
ATR 72-600	2	2	70	Delivery expected 2025
de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300	11	—	15
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200	2	—	37	One aircraft operated as an Air Ambulance
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300	6	—	50
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400	7	—	59

Livery

Former Livery used by the airline (as Island Aviation), The first aircraft to wear this livery was an A320-200.

Current livery in use since 2008.

The first livery used by the airline (as Island Aviation) featured a wave pattern along the bottom of the fuselage along with 2 dolphins and 2 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 3 lounges in Maldives; Moonimaa lounge at Malé and Kashimaa lounges at both Hanimaadhoo and Dharavandhoo airports.

Maldivian Fly Cargo

On September 23, 2024, Maldivian signed agreements to launch a dedicated air cargo service. The service will commence operations in January 2025 using ATR aircraft, which are well-suited for cargo transport across the Maldives and regional markets. This move is expected to enhance the nation's cargo infrastructure, with the airline playing a key role in expanding trade routes and improving goods transport

External links

• Maldivian