National airline

The first seaplane acquired by national airline Maldivian has arrived in the Maldives on Thursday evening.

Maldivian said that all preparations necessary to introduce services on the DH-6 Twin Otter Aircraft, including the construction of a floating jetty at the airport, have been completed.

Maldivian said that the aircraft started its ferry trip from Calgary, Canada, en route to Male’ on 10 April.

Competition has been non-existent in the local seaplane market since the two companies providing seaplane services Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) were acquired and merged by New York’s Blackstone Group. Maldivian hopes to re-introduce competition with its penetration into this market.

Maldivian commenced efforts to provide seaplane service in October 2013.

The airline has not yet mentioned a date for the formal inauguration of this service.