MEGA Maldives Airlines has announced it will expand its network to include additional points across Asia and its first links to Europe, just weeks after it inaugurated flights to China. The airline began flying in January when it launched flights from Gan International Airport to Hong Kong using a leased Boeing 767-300ER, but on July 16 it added flights from Malé International Airport to Shanghai, followed by Beijing from July 22.
The airline, dubbed the international flag carrier for the Maldives, claims to offer the only non-stop service that arrives in the Maldives during the day, allowing more convenient connections for passengers to resorts by domestic air transfers, seaplane and boat, as well as more time at the luxury destination. "Currently, most travelers leave Beijing and Shanghai on connecting flights early in the morning, and arrive in Maldives late at night, typically around 10pm or after. With our new non-stop flights, passengers still leave in the morning, but arrive midday instead of midnight," said George Weinmann, Chief Executive Officer, MEGA Maldives Airlines.
The number of Chinese arrivals to Maldives is growing fast, with a total of 52,345 Chinese tourists visiting the Maldives during the first quarter, a rise of 53.2 per cent when compared with the same period in 2010. China Southern Airlines currently offers a three times weekly link to the Maldives from Guangzhou and Sichuan Airlines offers a twice weekly service from Chengdu, but prior to MEGA Maldvies’ launch there were no non-stop flights from Beijing or Shanghai, with passengers having to connect via other hubs.
China Eastern Airlines does serve the Maldives from Shanghai but its flights make a stop in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, while Shanghai Airlines has also served the market. An estimated 25,000 O&D passengers flew to Malé International Airport from Beijing in the past year, with around 45,000 O&D passengers making the journey to/from Shanghai Pu Dong.
MEGA Maldives Airlines is now in discussions to introduce a second aircraft into its fleet to expand its network. It plans to offer flights to Seoul Incheon from September, a market of around 33,000 O&D passengers, with connections to other destinations following.
“We have received many requests for new services including: Russia, Italy, and the Middle East, other points in China, Japan, and Korea,” said Ali Faiz, Marketing Director, MEGA Maldives Airlines. “We have even received a proposal to develop connecting services between Australia and South Africa via the Maldives. We see a future in which the Maldives is not only a major destination, but possibly a growing hub for cross-Indian Ocean traffic.”
The airline also plans to develop its activities at Gan International Airport, providing more efficient links to the southern Maldives, particularly Addu Atoll. In the first five months of this year it operated more than 20 flights into Gan International carrying more than 4,000 passengers.
“As resorts in South Maldives complete their development or renovation, we hope to restart Gan operations, including both direct international flights as well as Malé -Gan domestic flights,” explained Ali Faiz. “The addition of domestic and international flights from Gan will enhance the overall Maldivian economy, with greater cargo capacity allowing more trade, and a significant increase in tourism volume to the South Maldives.”
Related Content
