IAS to begin operations to Fuvahmulah after license

Ahmed Saeed, Hithadhoo, Addu, Haveeru News Service

Nov 08, 2011 - 12:21

Players of SAARC cricket teams exit a Maldivian aircraft that landed at the Fuvahmulah Airport on November 6, 2011. HAVEERU PHOTO/ NASRULLA SOLIH
Air hostesses enter a Maldivian aircraft that landed at the Fuvahmulah Airport on November 7, 2011. HAVEERU PHOTO/ NASRULLA SOLIH

Island Aviation Services (IAS) is to begin direct flight operations between Male and Fuvahmulah as soon as the Civil Aviation Department issues license.

Administration Head Ali Nashaath Hameed said the airline, which operates the Maldivian brand of flights, is ready to begin operations to Fuvahmulah.

The airline is currently operating chartered flights between Addu atoll Gan and Fuvahmulah under a special license to carry cricket teams of SAARC countries.

"We haven't yet received the license to operate flights other than that. We've made a study to operate flight from Male to Fuvahmulah and based on the demand, we may operate some flights via Kaadehdhoo," he said.

"We'll announce the prices on our website as soon as we receive the license."

Nashaath, however, stressed that operating flights between Gan and Fuvahmulah is highly unlikely.

"It's a very short distance; the aircraft should land as soon as it takes off. So we don't think we can operate flights between Gan and Fuvahmulah," he said, adding that the fuel cost alone would not make it cost-efficient.

Maldivian has also expressed interest in operating flights to Alif Dhaal atoll Maamigili.