New Airbus A330 to Elevate Maldives Tourism with 40,000 More Chinese Visitors, Says Minister Faisal

The national carrier, Maldivian, is expected to transport an additional 40,000 tourists from China following the acquisition of its new wide-body Airbus A330-200, according to Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal. He made this announcement during an interview on the 'Raajje Miadhu' programme, broadcast on PSM News.

On 6 January, the national airline Maldivian introduced its new Airbus A330-200 aircraft. This addition boasts a capacity of 264 passengers and offers three cabin classes: economy, business, and premium. The acquisition fulfils an electoral commitment by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to introduce two wide-body aircraft for Island Aviation Services Ltd., the operator of Maldivian.

Speaking with PSM News, Minister Faisal highlighted the acquisition of the wide-body aircraft as a notable achievement for the nation's tourism industry. "For any country, the development and advancement of the national airline is a significant milestone," he stated.

Maldivian's latest acquisition, the Airbus A330-200, is renowned for its safety and reliability, attributed to its advanced engineering. The aircraft is meticulously designed to meet the latest safety regulations and is equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, ensuring the utmost safety for both the aircraft and its passengers.

Scheduled flights on the newly acquired Airbus A330-200 will commence on 21 January, beginning with the Chengdu-Malé route. Minister Faisal indicated that these scheduled flights will boost annual tourist arrivals to the Maldives from China by an additional 40,000. "With the introduction of the current aircraft, an additional 40,000 Chinese tourists can be brought here. This is a significant achievement. Taking this risk is the biggest accomplishment," he remarked.

In addition to Chengdu, Maldivian plans to operate flights to two other destinations in China: Beijing and Shanghai. China was the top source market for the Maldives tourism sector in 2024, with over 200,000 Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives that year.