The national airline, Maldivian, has obtained its first wide-body aircraft and will soon launch flights to three destinations in China, its operator Island Aviation Services (IAS) said today.

During a ceremony at the Velana International Airport (VIA), President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated the new flight routes with the official introduction of the wide-body aircraft to the Maldivian fleet.

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen, senior government officials and officials from IAS attended the ceremony.

The Airbus 330-200, with 264 seats, will initially fly to Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. The aircraft has business class, premium economy class and economy class seats.

This is Maldivian's first wide-body aircraft. But the national airline plans to obtain a second wide-body aircraft by October. The two additions to the fleet will help carry 65,000 passengers annually and carry 10 tonnes of air cargo on each flight.

Maldivian hired the aircraft from TrueNoord of the Netherlands. The agreement was signed with the company in July last year.

Maldivian previously operated two Airbus-321 and Airbus-320 aircraft on its international flights. The Airbus A321 has been discontinued due to high maintenance costs.