It’s less than one week away.
      Starting November 15, Maldives will open a new chapter in Indian aviation with the launch of thrice-weekly, non-stop flights between New Delhi and Male.
      As the first non-stop service between the two capital cities, Maldives’ international carrier, Mega Maldives Airlines, will provide significant advantages to what is available in the market.

The One & Only

      At a journey time of just under four hours (outbound) and a bit over four hours (inbound), this will the fastest and only non-stop connection between the two cities, cutting journey times on other existing flight options by between 2-8 hours.
      In fact, before the Mega Maldives launch, Male could be reached from south Indian destinations.
      The Mega Maldives services will be the first from North India.
      It is the short duration of the flights that prompted Maldivian Ambassador to India Ahmed Mohamed to point out that “the prospects are good” and the flights would “increase the strength of relationship” between India and Maldives (in fact, the governments of India and Maldives had been working to start the services since 2015).   

Weinmann Steps Up

      It was Founder and Chief Executive Officer George Weinmann who emphasized that the capital (Male) to capital (Delhi) flights would enhance business ties. The American-Maldivian joint venture with its fleet of B737 and B767, said Weinmann, will help shippers from India. “There is good potential for cargo from Delhi,” he said, adding, “We plan to capitalize on this.”

Concorde GSA Opts In

      Speaking to FlyingTypers, Pukhraj Singh Chug, Chairman and Managing Director of Group Concorde (one of the top General Sales and Services Agents for Cargo and Passenger Airlines), said that most of the cargo from Delhi and North India would comprise consumables.
      As Maldives is an island nation, perishable items would have top priority.
      The short duration of flights would ensure perishables would reach consumers in Male in record time.
      In addition, the carrier will look at high-value goods like electronic equipment among other products. “Acumen Overseas – a subsidiary of Group Concorde,” said Chug, had been given the responsibility of handling cargo for Mega Maldives’ entire network.
      “We are looking at Male as a hub for cargo since Mega Maldives touches quite a few destinations in China, Japan, South Korea, and even Hong Kong.”
      Chug also explained in detail what Weinmann meant when he said the carrier wanted to capitalize on the good potential of cargo from Delhi.
      “We are looking at a dedicated cargo carrier in the near future,” he said. Mega Maldives’ plans are to touch Mumbai and Dhaka in the coming months.
      “We have world-class technology for the management of the cargo business and we believe that cargo will become an integral part of Mega Maldives’ services.
      “The Delhi flight will extend to Dhaka and that will bring in cargo.”

Said It Is Thrilling

      Weinmann was thrilled with “the positive response both in India and in Maldives to our new services to India.”
      While he mentioned that the resort and hospitality community of Maldives had clearly thrown open their doors to an excited and dynamic Indian market, he underscored the fact that the mainstay of the Maldivian economy—tourism—would also benefit from the trade and business opportunities that the new air services would create.
Tirthankar Ghosh