16 November 2012, Male'; The inaugural flight of ((Maldivian" , the national carrier of The Republic of Maldives, owned and operated by Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL), touched down at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) Dhaka Thursday 15 November 2012 afternoon, establishing the first direct air connectivity between Dhaka, Chennai and Male.
Honourable Minister of State for Defence and National Security of Maldives, Sheikh Ilyas Hussain Ibrahim travelled to Dhaka on the first flight Q2-550 which was welcomed at HSIA by HE Mr. Ahmed Adil, Acting High Commissioner of Maldives to Bangladesh and Air Vice Marshal Mahmud Hussain, Chairman Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and other senior officials of CAAB and Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
At the welcome ceremony at the airport VIP Lounge, dignitaries expressed their strong belief that bilateral trade, commerce and tourism will get a significant boost with the opening of direct air link between Bangladesh and Maldives as well as South Indian region. Moreover, Bangladeshi expatriates in Maldives can now avail this hassle free cost effective direct travel option to/from Male. Tourists from Bangladesh can avail "Visa on Arrival" at the Mare international airport.
Mr. Abdulla Yazeed , member of the Board of Directors of u Maldivian", expressed his gratitude to the Government of Bangladesh specially to Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Air Galaxy Ltd. for their support and cooperation in making this flight a reality and hope this will benefit the peoples of Bangladesh and Maldives in innumerable ways.
Maldivian, a Full Service airline, will operate an Airbus A320 aircraft with a configuration of iq business class, 18 premium economy and 120 economy class seats on the Dhaka-Chennai-Male route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Air Galaxy Ltd. is the General Sales Agent in Bangladesh for "Maldivian", the national carrier of Maldives.
ENDS.