Two Dornier 228 aircraft from the era of Air Maldives has been submerged in picnic island, Kudagiri’s lagoon to create a historic dive site, Kudagiri Dhoonier Wreck.
The site was developed as a collaboration between Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation Limited (MMPRC), Housing Development Corporation Limited (HDC) and Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), under the government’s efforts to promote tourism in the Maldives.
The submerged aircraft were once part of Air Maldives, the Maldives’ first national airline and flag carrier which ceased operations in 2000. According to HDC, the name Dhoonier combines the Dhivehi word Dhooni, translated as bird, with Dornier, representing the aircraft as a bird that symbolises the beginning of the Maldives’ aviation industry.
HDC said the company will be undertaking coral planting to create an artificial reef ecosystem to increase the site’s appeal to tourists and visitors. The site will be maintained by HDC.
Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim, HDC’s Managing Director Mohamed Mauroof Jameel and Ooreedoo Maldives’ senior officials were in attendance at the event held to launch the dive site.
Government agencies are undertaking significant efforts to strengthen the tourism sector and promote the Maldives as a top tourism destination. The government aims to host 2.3 million tourists this year.