Mega Maldives to reduce fleet, staff

Private international airlines Mega Maldives has made the decision to reduce its fleet and lay off workers.

Mega Maldives, which has direct flights to and from China – the largest supplier of tourists to Maldives – said in a statement it issued last week that there was an 11 percent drop in the

Chinese market by the end of first two quarters of 2016, resulting in a reduction in earnings.

Mega Maldives said that they had predicted the fall in Chinese market and planned measures to soften the blow including increasing their destinations – measures which they had to keep a hold on.

The company said that it was facing mounting aircraft maintenance cost, drop in Chinese market and having to put a hold on increasing their destinations.

Mega Maldives said that there were currently using three of the aircrafts in their fleet of five planes, and planned to cut 65 positions within the company and keep a hold on hiring people for 50 vacant positions.

Mega Maldives had 400 employees at the start of 2016, and the number will be cut down to 278 employees by the end of this year.

The company expressed hope that the employees they have to let do due to the difficult situation are able to return back after business picks up.

“Even in the face of all this, we will move ahead to develop our company. We are looking to start flights to destinations we have previously planned and find ways to increase income,” said Mega Maldives in their statement.

Mega Maldives currently only travels to Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo.