Maldivian Airlines’ newest wide-body Airbus A330 departed for Chengdu, China, on its inaugural flight last night, marking a significant milestone for the national carrier.
According to the airline, ticket sales for the Chengdu route have gained strong traction, reflecting growing demand from passengers traveling between China and the Maldives. Island Aviation Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas revealed that 70 percent of seats are already booked and expressed confidence that flights will operate near full capacity.
“We carried some passengers on the very first flight to Chengdu,” Iyas said, underscoring robust interest in Maldivian Airlines’ expansion into the Chinese market.
A round-trip ticket to Chengdu is currently priced at USD 688 (MVR 10,610), while additional routes to Beijing and Shanghai are scheduled to begin later this month. Return tickets to Beijing, starting January 24, are priced at USD 788 (MVR 12,151), and flights to Shanghai, commencing January 27, are available at USD 777 (MVR 11,981).
The newly acquired Airbus A330 features 260 seats spanning Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes. It can carry up to 10 tonnes of cargo and perform long-haul flights without stopovers. Each passenger is permitted 40 kilograms of baggage.
With this addition, Maldivian’s fleet now consists of 25 aircraft. The airline plans to introduce another Airbus A330 later this year and is preparing to launch direct flights to destinations in Europe, further expanding its global footprint.
