Mega Maldives

MEGA Maldives Airlines
IATA ICAO Callsign
LV MEG SANDBAR
Founded 23 February 2010 (2010-02-23)
Commenced operations 23 December 2010 (2010-12-23)
Ceased operations 2 May 2017[1]
Hubs Velana International Airport
Fleet size 0
Destinations 0
Company slogan Paradise In Reach
Parent company Mega Global Air Services (Maldives) Private Limited
Headquarters Malé, Maldives
Key people George Weinmann (CEO)
Employees 400 (2016)[2]
Website megamaldivesair.com

MEGA Maldives Airlines was a Maldivian airline based at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. It suspended all operations on 2 May 2017.[1] After failing to secure a new investor and restart operations, Mega Maldives entered into voluntary liquidation on 27 February 2018, and will be permanently closing. The shareholders selected a local law firm, Wisham and Co. to act as Liquidator for the company in accordance with Maldivian law.[3]

History

Mega Maldives was awarded an AOC on 22 December 2010,[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

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

The airline also provides technical services to other airlines at Male' Ibrahim Nasser International Airport including AOG support. The airline can also provide ground handling supervision and permit management services to other foreign airlines as well. The corporate headquarters of MEGA Maldives Airlines is located in Male', Maldives.[7]

In September 2016, MEGA Maldives announced to 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 wetlease 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.[8]

Mega Maldives suspended all remaining operations on 2 May 2017 stating restructuring measures.[1] Beforehand, it already significantly reduced its network down to only two Chinese destinations.[1]

Destinations

As of May 2017 and prior to the suspension of all operations, MEGA Maldives operated scheduled and charter flights to the following destinations:[9]

Maldives
People's Republic of China

Fleet

Mega Maldives Boeing 767-300ER

As of Feb 2018, MEGA Maldives' fleet included the following aircraft:[10]

MEGA Maldives Fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers
C Y+ Y Total
0 —
Total 0

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 4 ch-aviation.com - Mega Maldives Airlines to suspend operations 1 May 2017
  2. 1 2 ch-aviation.com - China tourist market slump hits Mega Maldives hard 4 September 2016
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ "New airline marks new era of aviation in Maldives" Archived 2011-06-17 at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ JL (27 January 2011). "Stop Press". Airline Route. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "Application for Employment" (Archived 2014-02-23 at WebCite) 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"
  8. ↑ http://megamaldivesair.com/en/about-us/news-and-media/news/mega-maldives-airlines-introduces-a-boeing-737-800-to-its-fleet
  9. ↑ megamaldivesair.com - Route Map retrieved 2 May 2017
  10. ↑ planespotters.net - Mega Global Air (branded as Mega Maldives) Fleet Details and History retrieved Feb 2018

Bibliography

  • Ron Gluckman (March 26, 2012). "A Start-Up Airline Finds Its Place in the Maldives". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  • Mohammed Visham (December 21, 2013). ""Mega" vision of one man to spread Maldives' wings across the globe". Haveeru Online. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
  • Mohammed Visham (December 17, 2012). "Mega Maldives introduces flights to Palau". Haveeru Online. Archived from the original on 21 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.

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