Mega Maldives
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| Founded | 23 February 2010 | ||||||
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| Commenced operations | 23 December 2010 | ||||||
| Ceased operations | 2 May 2017[1] but to recommence operations in August 2017 | ||||||
| Hubs | Velana International Airport | ||||||
| Fleet size | 1 | ||||||
| Destinations | 3 | ||||||
| Company slogan | Paradise In Reach | ||||||
| Parent company | Mega Global Air Services (Maldives) Private Limited | ||||||
| Headquarters | Malé, Maldives | ||||||
| Key people | George Weinmann (CEO) | ||||||
| Employees | 400 (2016)[2] | ||||||
| Website | megamaldivesair.com | ||||||
MEGA Maldives Airlines was a Maldivian airline based at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. It suspended all operations on 2 May 2017.[1] but is to recommence it's operations with a renewed all Airbus fleet in August 2017.
History
Mega Maldives was awarded an AOC on 22 December 2010,[3] and its first domestic flight was from Malé to Gan on 28 December 2010. The airline began its international operations on 21 January 2011 between Hong Kong and Gan. The airline initially operated flights between Hong Kong and Gan once every 5 days.[4] Later, the route was changed to Hong Kong and Malé, but continued the unique every 5 day pattern. The airline also began scheduled service from Malé to Shanghai on 16 July and to Beijing 22 July 2011.[5]
Frequencies have increased since 2011 and the airline currently operates 4 to 5 flights a week to each of Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong depending on the season. The airline has also served Chongqing, Chengdu, and Hangzhou, China as well as Incheon (Seoul), Korea, with seasonal services. The latest route to operate is from Hong Kong to Koror, Palau with twice weekly frequencies starting in mid-December, 2013.
The airline also provides technical services to other airlines at Male' Ibrahim Nasser International Airport including AOG support. The airline can also provide ground handling supervision and permit management services to other foreign airlines as well. The corporate headquarters of MEGA Maldives Airlines is located in Male', Maldives.[6]
In September 2016, MEGA Maldives announced to cut 65 of its 400 staff as well as postponing planned new routes until further notice due to the severely decreased Chinese leisure market.[2] In the same month, the airline introduced its first Boeing 737-800 on wetlease from Travel Service. The aircraft is part of its fleet modernization program and will be used for increased connectivity between short and medium ranged destinations, notably opening up new destinations in India and Sri Lanka.[7]
Mega Maldives suspended all remaining operations on 2 May 2017 stating restructuring measures.[1] Beforehand, it already significantly reduced its network down to only two Chinese destinations.[1]
Destinations
As of May 2017 and prior to the suspension of all operations, MEGA Maldives operated scheduled and charter flights to the following destinations:[8]
- Maldives
- Malé – Velana International Airport base
- People's Republic of China
Fleet
As of May 2017, MEGA Maldives' fleet included the following aircraft:[9]
| Aircraft | In Service | Orders | Passengers | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Y+ | Y | Total | |||
| Boeing 767-300ER | 1 | — | 12 | 0 | 288 | 300 |
| Total | 1 | |||||
References
Citations
- 1 2 3 4 ch-aviation.com - Mega Maldives Airlines to suspend operations 1 May 2017
- 1 2 ch-aviation.com - China tourist market slump hits Mega Maldives hard 4 September 2016
- ↑ New airline marks new era of aviation in Maldives
- ↑ JL (27 January 2011). "Stop Press". Airline Route. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ↑ "Mega Maldives Airline Announces New Routes From Male’ International Airport to Shanghai and Beijing" (Press release). Mega Maldives Airline. 10 July 2011.
- ↑ "Application for Employment" (Archived 2014-02-23 at WebCite) Mega Maldives. Retrieved on 23 February 2014. "Mega Global Air Services (Maldives) Pvt. ltd. 5th Floor, H. Sakeena Manzil Medhuziyaarai Magu, Male 20127, Republic of Maldives"
- ↑ http://megamaldivesair.com/en/about-us/news-and-media/news/mega-maldives-airlines-introduces-a-boeing-737-800-to-its-fleet
- ↑ megamaldivesair.com - Route Map retrieved 2 May 2017
- ↑ planespotters.net - Mega Global Air (branded as Mega Maldives) Fleet Details and History retrieved 3 May 2017
Bibliography
- Ron Gluckman (March 26, 2012). "A Start-Up Airline Finds Its Place in the Maldives". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
- Mohammed Visham (December 21, 2013). ""Mega" vision of one man to spread Maldives' wings across the globe". Haveeru Online. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- Mohammed Visham (December 17, 2012). "Mega Maldives introduces flights to Palau". Haveeru Online. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
External links
Media related to Mega Maldives at Wikimedia Commons