Trans Maldivian Airways

The Maldives has shown that travel to even the remotest and unspoiled archipelagos on the planet is attainable. The islands’ striking beauty, combined with luxury resorts, would not be as accessible as they are if it wasn’t for a handful of daring people. They turned their passion into a service benefiting visitors, resorts and Maldivians alike.

How it Started The Maldivians undertook voluntary work in order to build their own airport and in 1966, Male’ saw the first commercial landing.

The few adventurous travelers who came to the Maldives in the following years were limited to exploring the pristine islands close to Male’. The natural and untouched beauty of the islands started to appeal an increasing number of inquisitive travelers, and the first resorts opened in 1972, all within reach of a boat from Male’. Maldivian Air Taxi & Trans Maldivian Airways The beginnings of commercial aviation in the Maldives are to be undoubtedly attributed to Trans Maldivian Airways. TMA started in 1989 as a company operating a helicopter fleet under the name Hummingbird Island Helicopters.

However, the destination was struggling with infrastructure problems relating to the established helicopter air service, and the many resorts were still only reachable by boat, the idea of faster and more convenient travel was about to be floated. Traveling to Kuredu in 1991, Lars Erik Nielsen, recalls “ The passengers were so sick on the voyage, I had to find a better way to travel!”. And he did. With his love of seaplanes and the much-needed Scandinavian entrepreneurship, he started Maldivian Air Taxi in 1993.

From its humble beginnings in 1993 with only two aircraft, the company grew rapidly over the years where now, close to a million passengers are transferred every year. With the succession of seaplane operation in the country, Hummingbird Island Helicopters later changed their name to Hummingbird Island Airways, and the first seaplane was added to the fleet in 1997. The transition to a seaplane-only fleet was completed in 1999 and another year later, the name was changed to Trans Maldivian Airways. In February 2013 Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) partnered with Blackstone, one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms under the name Trans Maldivian Airways Private Limited (TMA). In December 2017, the company was acquired by Bain Capital Private Equity, a global private equity firm headquartered out of the US in association with Tempus Group, a Chinese tourismfocused conglomerate, from the current shareholders led by Blackstone.

TMA Fleet Flown around the world at locations ranging from tropical jungles to arid deserts, over mountains into the freezing Arctic, the de Havilland Twin Otter, manufactured in Canada, is an example of rugged reliability and safety. Perhaps the best testimony to the timelessness of the Twin Otter is the fact that it remains the largest- selling commuter airplane in the world. The De Havilland Twin Otter is a highly maneuverable, versatile aircraft, and the high winger, unpressurized, twin-engine turbine powered aircraft is ideally suited to operate in all conditions and climates. The versatility of this aircraft makes it perform very well on wheels, skis or on floats. The latter, along with the useful Short Take-Off and Landing performance, makes it the ideal aircraft for the 1190-island archipelago of the Maldives. With a fleet of 57 de Havilland Twin Otters, Trans Maldivian Airways operates the largest seaplane operation in the world. TMA Services Trans Maldivian Airways services include resort transfers where the journey is every much a part of the experience as the destination itself, stunning photo flights over one of the world’s most picturesque nations, private charter for a touch of exclusivity, excursions never to be forgotten as well as the flights we all hope we will never need- passenger evacuation flights.

Photo Flights The standard photo flight package, starting and finishing at the airport includes a 10-minute flyover. It is a very popular charter service and comes at a reasonable price. For more information, please email BD@transmaldivian.com

Resort Transfers Transfer of guests to and from guests contracted resorts on scheduled flights. For more information, please contact your travel agent, tour operator or resort. Private Charter This is mainly for VIP guests or those who require dedicated flights from any destination of preference. This is catered for based on requirement. These charters also include Top VIP charters on our VIP configured aircraft to provide the ultimate luxury. For more information, please contact your travel agent, tour operator or resort.

Excursions Full-day and half-day excursions to uninhabited islands are the best way to enjoy a picnic with your team, family or partner. For more information, please email BD@transmaldivian.com

Passenger Evacuation Flights Passenger evacuation flights are provided upon requests for medical or other emergencies from resorts or local islands within the seaplane zone. ◆

is unlike any other destination. Scattered like pearls across the crystalline waters of the Indian ocean, the islands of Maldives capture the imagination of travelers across the entire world.

The Maldives consists of over a thousand islands dispersed over a length of over 870 kilometers. The islands come in all forms, shapes, sizes, with a uniqueness attached to each island. The scattered islands ensure that each island is naturally social-distanced from each other, and thus the Maldives provide unparalleled safety in these unprecedented times.

One of the reasons why the Maldives is gaining such traction across the globe is a result of the uniquelyMaldivian “one-island-one-resort” concept. Unlike many other destinations, resorts in the Maldives are nestled in their own private islands. In other words, the entire island is the resort. Each resort functions unders strict and stringent safety measures, and the facilities ensure that every single traveler arriving at the resort presents a negative COVID-19 test, adding a layer of protection.

In an age of constant distractions and stimuli, the islands of Maldives is a safe haven of tranquility, safety, and peace.

Safe Haven Amidst The Pandemic In 2020, the world witnessed full border closures and travel restrictions. The Maldives, like many other destinations, made the difficult decision to close the borders for international travelers to contain the spread of COVID-19 and prioritize the health, safety, and wellbeing of the local population. With stringent safety measures and immense preparation, the Maldives also became one of the first destinations to re-open the borders for international travelers on 15th July 2020.

It is the unique ‘one-island-one-resort- concept, the safety provided by the naturally social-distanced islands of Maldives, and the stringent safety measures in place, that allowed the Maldives to re-open borders for international travelers.

The decision was possible as a result of the immense dedication and sacrifice undertaken by the tourism industry, the health sector, and beyond. As a small island nation heavily dependent on tourism, it was not a matter of choice whether the borders opened or not, it was a matter of necessity.

The world soon started to recognize the Maldives as a safe haven. A space for travelers to heal, reconnect with the natural world, and with themselves. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) granted the Maldives ‘Safe Travels Stamp’ in recognition of the efforts to implement enhanced health and safety measures, in line with the WTTC global safe travels protocols. Furthermore, Velana International Airport received the ACI Airport Health Accreditation for consistent measures in line with ACI’s standards in ‘the new normal’.

In 2020, Maldives also received the ‘World’s Leading Destination’ award at the Grand Final of the World Travel Awards 2020. It was the first time the Maldives won the award in the history of the island nation.

Visit Maldives, alongside industry stakeholders and partners, continued working tirelessly to assure tourists that the Maldives was a safe haven,

and even marketed to closed destinations to keep travelers dreaming about the destination. The awards, accolades, and recognition is truly a testament to the strength, will, and determination of the Maldivian people.

Journey to the Maldives The Maldives also maintained a fine balance between safety and comfort. For travelers, embarking on their journey to the Maldives is an easy endeavour. All travellers arriving in Maldives are granted a free 30-day on-arrival visa with a confirmed booking for a stay at any registered tourist facility. There is no mandatory quarantine on arrival.

Furthermore, travellers are required to fill an online health declaration form within 24 hours prior to their departure, as well as have a negative PCR test result, conducted 96 hours prior to their departure. The regulation applies to all tourists including those who have received the prescribed dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine. For a complete and up-to-date requirement for entry, visit imuga. immigration.gov.mv/ethd.

The Maldives have also recently launched a campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism under the name “I’m Vaccinated!”. The ultimate target of the campaign is to make Maldives the destination with the first fully vaccinated tourism sector in the world. As of 22nd September 2021, 93% of resort employees are fully vaccinated.

The Way Forward During the pandemic the Maldives found strength in each other in the industry, and worked together as partners and discussed ways on moving forward. The industry understood intimately that we must all be wellequipped and prepared for crises and uncertainties.

The looming climate threat and the effects of environmental degradation are realities that we are confronting, and will continue to confront. Travelers visit the Maldives for the jaw-dropping beauty of our natural environment. This same environment and ecosystems are also the lifeline of the Maldivian people. It is in our best interest to safeguard the land on which we live, and become responsible custodians of the environment. Last year, His Excellency President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, nominated Addu and Fuvahmulah as UNESCO biosphere reserves. On 28 October 2020, UNESCO’s included Fuvahmulah and Addu Atoll in the Maldives, to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

Fuvahmulah became the second site in Maldives to be declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, after Baa Atoll, which was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2011. Furthermore this ensures protection within the region and preservation of natural marine life, as well as guaranteeing that the protected areas are developed sustainably. In addition the President has also declared a list of Single-Use Plastics (SUPs) banned for import into the Maldives from June 1, 2021.Banning the use of SUPs in the Maldives is one of the Government’s key environmental pledges and it is hoped that it will help minimize the harmful effects of single use plastics on the country’s vulnerable marine environment and on human health.

Uncertainty is inevitable. What matters is how prepared we are for it, and how well equipped we are to deal with the uncertainties that arise. The pandemic revealed that with honest open communication, effective leadership, and strategic planning, we are capable of dealing with anything. The Maldives was a destination that was at the brink of economic collapse last year, and yet, we persevered. It is with the same perseverance and strength that the Maldives moves forward into an optimistic and hopeful future. ◆