The world’s first luxury airline Beond on Sunday stated that the airline has not been granted national carrier status by Maldivian authorities.
In a statement on Sunday, Beond apologized for CEO Tero Taskila’s remarks in connection to the status of the airline in an interview with CNN’s Richard Quest.
“The management of Beond apologizes over the incorrect statements regarding the status of this airline,” read the statement.
The company stated that they wish to work with the Maldives’ government and companies to strengthen the country’s economy and promote tourism.
Beond is the world’s first luxury airline formed by Maldives’ SIMDI group and UAE’s Arabesque targeting the Maldives’ luxury tourism market. The airline aims to launch flights to China, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Europe this year.
Air Maldives was the first national carrier of Maldives, but the company went bankrupt in 2000. A 100 percent government-owned company named Island Aviation was formed that same year and granted national flag carrier status.
Island Aviation was rebranded as Maldivian in 2008. There are other local airlines run by private groups, but none of them has been granted national carrier status.
