The national airline, Maldivian, has launched its first wide-body aircraft operations to China.

The first destination of the wide-body aircraft was Chengdu and it received a warm welcome upon landing.

The flight to Chengdu started at USD 688 round trip with a 40 kg baggage allowance.

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.

The return ticket to Beijing costs USD 788, while the return ticket to Shanghai costs USD 777 with a 40 kg baggage allowance.

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.