President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the first wide-body aircraft for the national airline Maldivian will begin flying in January 2025. This new addition is part of the government’s plan to expand international flights and connect the Maldives to more global destinations.

At an event marking the government’s first year in office, President Dr Muizzu shared that two wide-body aircraft will be leased to Island Aviation Services Limited. The government has allocated funds for this through the Ministry of Finance.

The first aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, will have 406 seats and can travel up to 7,250 nautical miles. It will be leased for five years. This wide-body plane will help Maldivian expand its flight routes, with plans to connect to destinations in China and Europe.

Currently, Maldivian only operates smaller aircraft, such as the Airbus A320 and A321, for international flights. The A321 was recently returned to its lessor due to high maintenance costs.

The introduction of these wide-body aircraft is a key step in improving the country’s air travel and providing more options for both tourists and business travelers.