Maldivian, the national carrier, has revealed that, in an impressive demonstration of local expertise, the acquisition of their latest wide-body aircraft, an Airbus A330, has been managed entirely by local technical experts. The acquisition of a wide-body aircraft is part of Maldivian's efforts to expand its operations to international destinations.
The Airbus A330 is scheduled to arrive in the Maldives on 6 January, marking a significant milestone for the airline. Senior Manager of Technical Strategy, Ismail Athif, shared that a dedicated team of Maldivian's technical experts travelled to Lithuania to conduct comprehensive assessments of the aircraft, ensuring it was in optimal operational condition.
"The technical team started working in October 2023 and has made every necessary arrangement to bring the aircraft into service," Athif explained during an interview with PSM News. "In late November, the aircraft was ferried to Singapore, where it is currently undergoing painting work."
The commitment and hard work of Maldivian's local staff were also highlighted by Deputy Managing Director Ali Saleem. All aspects of the acquisition, from technical assessments in Lithuania to the current engineering work in Singapore, have been carried out by Maldivian's technical staff without any foreign assistance, he added.
"Even the supervision of the ongoing work is managed by our local experts," Saleem noted. "We have ensured that every step of this acquisition process is handled by Maldivians."
The dedication and expertise of Maldivian's technical team are evident, the company said, with staff trained and experienced in the comprehensive operations and maintenance of the Airbus A330. The introduction of wide-body aircraft is expected to significantly boost Maldivian's international operations, facilitating the arrival of an additional 60,000 tourists, according to the company.
Plans are already in place to launch wide-body aircraft services early next year. To commemorate this achievement, Maldivian is organising special events to celebrate the arrival of the Airbus A330 on 6 January.