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]

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 2023, Maldivian started using new generation ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 aircraft in its fleet, replacing its older Dash 8 aircraft. On 6 January 2025, Maldivian introduced its first widebody aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, with plans to add a second A330 and a Boeing 787-8. The airline is also seeking destinations in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The inaugural flight was to Chengdu in China.^[2]

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

Maldivian has codeshare agreements with the following airline:

• Qatar Airways^[6]

Maldivian has interline agreements with the following airlines:

• Air India^[7]
• Azerbaijan Airlines^[8]
• Emirates^[9]
• Etihad Airways^[10]

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.

As of June 2025, Maldivian operates the following aircraft:

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.

As of June 2024, Island Aviation Services provides the following services at all public airports of the Maldives.^[16]

• Aircraft engineering services
• Ground control
• Flight operations
• Aerodrome operation
• Refueling services

Maldivian operates three lounges in the Maldives: Moonimaa lounge at Malé and Kashimaa lounges at both Hanimaadhoo and Dharavandhoo airports.^[17][18]

• Official website