Mega Maldives

MEGA Maldives Airlines was a Maldivian airline based at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. It suspended all operations on 2 May 2017.[1]

MEGA Maldives Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
LV MEG SANDBAR
Founded23 February 2010 (2010-02-23)
Commenced operations23 December 2010 (2010-12-23)
Ceased operations2 May 2017[1]
HubsVelana International Airport
Fleet size6
Destinations30
Parent companyMega Global Air Services (Maldives) Private Limited
HeadquartersMalé, Maldives
Key peopleGeorge Weinmann (CEO)
Employees400 (2016)[2]
Websitemegamaldivesair.com

History

Mega Maldives was awarded an AOC on 22 December 2010,[3] and its first domestic flight was from Malé to Gan on 28 December 2010. The airline began its international operations on 21 January 2011 between Hong Kong and Gan. The airline initially operated flights between Hong Kong and Gan once every 5 days.[4] Later, the route was changed to Hong Kong and Malé, but continued the unique every 5 day pattern. The airline also began scheduled service from Malé to Shanghai on 16 July and to Beijing 22 July 2011.[5]

Frequencies increased since 2011 and the airline operated 4 to 5 flights a week to each of Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong depending on the season. The airline also served Chongqing, Chengdu, and Hangzhou, China as well as Incheon (Seoul), Korea, with seasonal services. The route from Hong Kong to Koror, Palau started in mid-December 2013 with twice-weekly frequencies.

The airline also provided technical services to other airlines at Male' Ibrahim Nasser International Airport including AOG support. The airline could also provide ground handling supervision and permit management services to other foreign airlines as well. The corporate headquarters of MEGA Maldives Airlines was located in Male', Maldives.[6]

In September 2016, MEGA Maldives announced it would cut 65 of its 400 staff as well as postponing planned new routes until further notice due to the severely decreased Chinese leisure market.[2] In the same month, the airline introduced its first Boeing 737-800 on wet-lease from Travel Service. The aircraft is part of its fleet modernization program and will be used for increased connectivity between short and medium ranged destinations, notably opening up new destinations in India and Sri Lanka.[7]

Mega Maldives suspended all remaining operations on 12 May 2017 stating restructuring measures.[1] Beforehand, it already significantly reduced its network down to only two Chinese destinations.[1]

Destinations

Prior to the suspension of all operations, MEGA Maldives operated scheduled and charter flights to the following destinations:[8]

Bangladesh
Mauritius
Sri Lanka
Hong Kong SAR
India
Japan
South Korea
Saudi Arabia
Maldives
Macau
Malaysia
Oman
Palau
United Arab Emirates
People's Republic of China

Fleet

Prior to operational suspension. MEGA Maldives' fleet consisted of the following aircraft:

Aircraft In Service
Boeing 767-300ER 4
Boeing 737-800 (Leased from Travel Service) 1

References

Citations
  1. ch-aviation.com - Mega Maldives Airlines to suspend operations Archived 2021-03-14 at the Wayback Machine 1 May 2017
  2. ch-aviation.com - China tourist market slump hits Mega Maldives hard Archived 2016-09-16 at the Wayback Machine 4 September 2016
  3. "New airline marks new era of aviation in Maldives" Archived 2011-06-17 at the Wayback Machine
  4. JL (27 January 2011). "Stop Press". Airline Route. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  5. "Mega Maldives Airline Announces New Routes From Male' International Airport to Shanghai and Beijing" (Press release). Mega Maldives Airline. 10 July 2011. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012.
  6. "Application for Employment" (Archived 2014-07-22 at the Wayback Machine) Mega Maldives. Retrieved on 23 February 2014. "Mega Global Air Services (Maldives) Pvt. Ltd. 5th Floor, H. Sakeena Manzil Medhuziyaarai Magu, Male 20127, Republic of Maldives"
  7. "MEGA Maldives Airlines introduces a Boeing 737-800 to its fleet - Mega Maldives Airlines - Paradise in Reach". 5 October 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-10-05. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  8. megamaldivesair.com - Route Map Archived 2016-10-27 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 2 May 2017

Bibliography

Media related to Mega Maldives at Wikimedia Commons

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