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.^[1]

This article is about the airline. For other uses, see Maldivian.

Maldivian

IATA ICAO Call sign Q2 DQA SKYSURFER
Founded	13 April 2000; 25 years ago (13 April 2000) (as Island Aviation Services) 25 August 2008; 16 years ago (25 August 2008) (as Maldivian)
Hubs	Velana International Airport
Fleet size	25
Destinations	33
Parent company	Island Aviation Services (Maldivian state-owned corporation)
Headquarters	Malé
Employees	4500+
Website	www.maldivian.aero

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 two Dornier 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.^[2]

Destinations

Maldivian flies to the following destinations on scheduled Domestic and International service as of January 2025:^[3]

Domestic and International Destinations

Country	City	Airport	Notes	Ref
China	Chengdu	Tianfu International Airport
	Shanghai	Pudong International Airport
	Beijing	Capital International Airport
	Shenzhen	Shenzhen	Seasonal	[4]
India	Cochin	Cochin International Airport
	Trivandrum	Thiruvananthapuram International Airport
	Bengaluru	Kempegowda International Airport
Maldives	Malé	Velana International Airport	Hub
	Gan	Gan International Airport
	Fuvahmulah	Fuvahmulah Airport
	Hanimaadhoo	Hanimaadhoo International Airport
	Kaadedhdhoo	Kaadedhdhoo Airport
	Kadhdhoo	Kadhdhoo Airport
	Kooddoo	Kooddoo Airport
	Thimarafushi	Thimarafushi Airport
	Ifuru	Ifuru Airport
	Kulhudhuffushi	Kulhudhuffushi Airport
	Maafaru	Maafaru International Airport
	Funadhoo	Funadhoo Airport
	Maavarulu	Maavarulu Airport
	Hoarafushi	Hoarafushi Airport
	Madivaru	Madivaru Airport
	Faresmathoda	Faresmathoda Airport
	Dharavandhoo	Dharavandhoo Airport	Focus city
Thailand	Bangkok	Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi	Seasonal	[5]

Maldivian Seaplane Operating Destinations

Country	Atoll	Resort	Notes	Ref
Maldives	Raa Atoll	Kudafushi Island Resort
	Baa Atoll	Anathara Kihavahuravalhi
	Baa Atoll	Four Seasons Private Island
	Baa Atoll	Vakkaru Island Resort
	Baa Atoll	Hirundu Island Resort
	Noonu Atoll	Robinson Club Noonu
	Dhaalu Atoll	Niyaama Private Islands
	Dhaalu Atoll	Kandima Island Resort
	Dhaalu Atoll	Doores Island Retreat
	Dhaalu Atoll	Maagau Island Resort
	Thaa Atoll	Maalifushi Island Resort

Codeshare agreements

Maldivian has codeshare agreements with the following airline:

• Qatar Airways^[6]

Interline agreements

Maldivian has interline agreements with the following airlines:

• Emirates^[7]
• Etihad Airways^[8]

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 and 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 A320-200

As of June 2025^[update], Maldivian operates the following aircraft:

Maldivian fleet

Aircraft	In service	Order	Passengers					Notes
			F	B	Y+	Y	Total
Airbus A320-200	1	1	—	14	—	138	152[9]	Deliveries from 2025.[10]
Airbus A330-200	1	1	—	18	36	210	264	Deliveries from October 2025.[11]
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner	—	1	—	—	—	—	TBA	To be leased in 2025.[12]
ATR 42-600	3	2	—	—	—	46	46	Deliveries from 2024 to 2026.
ATR 72-600	2	—	—	—	—	70	70
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300	10	—	—	—	—	15	15	Seaplane service.[13]
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200	1	—	—	—	—	37	37	To be phased out.
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300	3	—	—	—	—	50	50	To be phased out. Five are withdrawn from use. Three aircraft are in service.
Total	21	5

Maldivian medevac fleet

Aircraft	In service	Order	Passengers	Remarks
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200	1	—	Medevac [14]	As Maldives Emergency Medical Services (MEMS).
De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300	1	—	Medevac
Total	2	—

Former fleet

Maldivian Historic fleet

Aircraft	Total	introduced	Retired	Replacement aircraft	Remark
Airbus A321-200	1	2015	2022	—	Leased by CALC for routes to Reunión.
ATR 72-500	1	2022	2023	—	Leased due to delay of new ATR 72-600 aircraft deliveries.
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300	5	2007	2024	ATR 42/72	One scrapped (8Q-IAM) and five withdrawn from use.
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	—	-
Total	9

Livery

The first livery used by the airline (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.

Former Livery used by the airline (as Island Aviation).

Other services

As of June 2024, Island Aviation Services provides the following services at all public airports of the Maldives.^[15]

• 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.^[16][17]