Maldivian (airline)

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

Maldivian

A Maldivian Airbus A330-200
IATA ICAO Call sign Q2 DQA SKY SURFER
Founded	13 April 2000 (13 April 2000) (as Island Aviation Services) 25 August 2008 (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

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 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.

Destinations

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

Maldivian seaplane operating destinations

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

Codeshare agreements

Maldivian has codeshare agreements with the following airline:

• Qatar Airways

Interline agreements

Maldivian has interline agreements with the following airlines:

• Air India
• Azerbaijan Airlines
• 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 Dash 8-300s. The first aircraft delivery was in 2007, and the other 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 Dash 8-300 was delivered. In 2013, they ordered five more Dash 8-300s, with the final being delivered in 2018. In 2014, Maldivian introduced the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter, with their last one being delivered in 2018. Later in 2014, Maldivian ordered one Airbus A321-200. In late 2022, the A321 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.

Current fleet

Maldivian A320-200

As of June 2026, Maldivian operates the following aircraft:

Maldivian fleet

Aircraft	In service	Order	Passengers					Notes
			F	C	W	Y	Total
Airbus A320-200	1		—	14	—	138	152	Deliveries from 2025.
Airbus A330-200	1	1	—	18	36	210	264	Deliveries from October 2025.
ATR 42-600	3	2	—	—	—	46	46	Deliveries from 2024 to 2026.
ATR 72-600	2	—	—	—	—	70	70
De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300	11	—	—	—	—	15	15	Seaplane service.
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300	2	—	—	—	—	50	50	To be phased out.
Total	22	5

Maldivian medevac fleet

Aircraft	In service	Order	Passengers	Remarks
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200	1	—	Medevac	As Maldives Emergency Medical Services (MEMS).

Former fleet

Maldivian historic fleet

Aircraft	Total	introduced	Retired	Replacement aircraft	Remark
Airbus A321-200	1	2015	2022	—	—
ATR 72-500	1	2022	2023	ATR 72-600	Leased from Swiftair due to delay of new ATR 72-600 aircraft deliveries.
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300	7	2007	2024	ATR 42/72	One sold, one scrapped and one in storage.
De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200	1	2000	2024	ATR 42/72	—
de Havilland Canada DHC-6-300	2	2014	2017	—	—
de Havilland Canada DHC-6-200HG	1	2015	2017	—	—
Dornier 228	2	2000	2012	Dash 8	-
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.

• 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.

External links

• Official website