Maldivian, the national carrier of Maldives that recently announced its expansion plans with flights to Mumbai and Chennai from November, has said it is not averse to investing in some of the Indian private carrier if there is an opportunity.

“If given an opportunity, we will definitely do so (investing in some private carriers),” Maldivian Managing Director Abdul Harris said here.

He said the policy change allowing up to 49 per cent foreign direct investment by the foreign carriers in the domestic airlines is a “great initiative” by the government and will provide a level-playing field.

Nevertheless, Maldivian, the airline division of Island Aviation Services Ltd, already has collaborations with Indian companies in the segment for providing different services to the carrier.

“Our bank is State Bank of India, the catering services are provided by the TajSats, the ground handling job of our airline is taken care by Air India-SATS joint venture and even the insurance services provider is an Indian company,” he said.

Maldivian, which has only been in operation for 12 years, began its international operations in 2007 with a flight to Thiruvananthapuram.

Abdul Harris said that Maldivian is eyeing a 70 per cent seat- factor from its expanded India operations. “We will strive to increase it to 80 per cent on both Chennai and Mumbai sectors as we consolidate over a period of time,” he said.

He added that the airline plans to have a fleet of five Airbus aircraft in as many years and aims to launch flights to some other destinations in Asia over a period of time.

The airline at present has a fleet of five aircraft, comprising 37-seater Dash 8-200 and 50-seater Dash8-300.

It is scheduled to receive its first Airbus 320 plane next month, while the second Airbus is expected to be delivered next year, he said.

Maldivian will operate domestic routes with smaller planes, while our international operations will be serviced by the Airbus fleet, he said, adding, “We are evaluating some routes in Asia and hope to have them operational in the next 2-3 years.”

The airline will be operating three flights a week to Chennai-Dhaka on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and to Mumbai on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

“We are entering new passenger markets, where we see a need for more air services, particularly where such markets are under served and in need for extra capacity,” he said.

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