Maldives flagship carrier Maldivian has expanded its cargo service, opening a new dedicated cargo office in capital Male.
The office, located on the first floor of STO Aifaanu Building on Boduthakurufaanu Magu, was inaugurated on October 4 by economic minister Mohamed Saeed. The minister handed over an outbound parcel to the counter.
Ahmed Zareer, Head of Cargo at parent company Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL), told the attendees that only five parcels were received a day at the beginning of cargo operations in 2011. The cargo department now handles over 100 parcels a day, he added.
“The new office comes with the latest facilities. In addition to the two service counters, we have installed a roller belt as well,” Zareer said.
Maldivian currently operates a fleet of two Dash 8-200 series aircrafts, seven Dash 8-300 series aircrafts, and an Airbus 320 and another Airbus 321 aircraft. The Dash 8 aircrafts are primarily used for domestic operations while the two Airbus aircrafts serve the airline’s international routes.
The state-owned airline operates flights to all the 10 domestic airports across the Maldives, and runs international operations to South Asian neighbours India and Bangladesh, and far Eastern countries such as Thailand and China.
Maldivian’s cargo division transports about 3,000 express and domestic shipments a month to and from the domestic airports at Gan, Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhhoo, Kooddoo, Kadhdhoo, Thimarafushi, Daravandhoo, Ifuru and Hanimaadhoo. Cargo services are also offered to the airline’s international destinations, including Dhaka, Trivandrum, Chennai and Bangkok.
The national airline is also in the process of expanding its fleet in an attempt to begin operations to more international destinations, including neighbouring Sri Lanka, and major tourist markets such as Europe, China and South Africa.
Maldivian has also recently expanded into seaplane operations. The airline has an all amphibian fleet of 10 DHC-6 Twin Otter aircrafts for its seaplane operations.
Seaplane is the preferred mode of transport between the main Velana International Airport and dozens of resorts, especially those located in the outer atolls.