Connecting the Islands of the Maldives
Founded
2000
Headquarters
Malé, Maldives
Maldivian, officially known as Island Aviation Services, is the national airline of the Maldives and the country's primary domestic carrier. Founded in 2000, it operates scheduled passenger services linking Malé with numerous atolls and islands across the Maldivian archipelago, playing a vital role in the nation's connectivity and tourism infrastructure.
The airline operates both fixed-wing aircraft and seaplanes, making it uniquely suited to serve the dispersed geography of the Maldives. Its seaplane services are particularly important for reaching remote resort islands that lack conventional airstrips.
Maldivian is wholly owned by the Government of the Maldives and serves as a critical lifeline for island communities, transporting not only tourists but also residents, essential goods, and medical patients across the archipelago.
Hubs & network
The airline's primary hub is Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé, with domestic operations spread across numerous regional airports and seaplane bases throughout the Maldivian atolls.
Fleet
Maldivian operates a mixed fleet including De Havilland Canada Dash 8 turboprop aircraft for domestic fixed-wing routes and Twin Otter seaplanes for water aerodrome operations.
Notable facts
- ›Maldivian is wholly owned by the Government of the Maldives through Island Aviation Services Ltd.
- ›The airline operates seaplane services, which are essential for reaching resort islands without airstrips.
- ›It is one of the few airlines in the world that regularly operates both land-based and water-based aircraft as core services.
- ›Maldivian serves as a critical transport link for medical evacuations across remote atolls.
- ›The airline uses the IATA code Q2 and the radio callsign ISLAND AVIATION.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
