Maldivian’s wide-body aircraft completes maiden trip; returns with Chinese tourists

The national airline Maldivian’s first wide-body aircraft, an Airbus A330-200, completed its maiden trip on Thursday, as it returned to Male’ carrying tourists from China’s Chengdu.

Passengers who arrived at the Velana International Airport (VIA) from Chengdu on Thursday morning with traditional Boduberu beats and flowers, showcasing the unique Maldivian hospitality that awaits every traveler.

Each of the passengers also had gift boxes waiting for them at the baggage belts for our passengers, a little gesture that Maldivian said was aimed at making their arrival even more memorable.

The red gift boxes were packed with locally produced goodies.

Maldivian inaugurated its wide-body operations with the arrival of the Airbus A330-200 aircraft on January 6.

The aircraft offers three cabin classes, providing seating for 264 passengers. The aircraft will feature 18 seats in Business Class, 36 in Premium Economy, and 210 in Economy Class, ensuring a comfortable journey for all travelers.

The aircraft will fly to three major cities in China: Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, enhancing the global connectivity of the airline.

This expansion is expected to provide a substantial boost to the Maldives’ tourism industry, attracting more visitors from China and beyond.

The airline plans to further expand its routes to key destinations in Europe and South Africa.