Air Equator
Encyclopedia
Air Equator was an airline
based in Gan, Maldives
. It operated services linking the southernmost island of Gan to other main islands in the Maldives. Its main base was Gan International Airport.
The airline ceased operations in August 2005.
. It is owned by A Faiz/A Murthy (60%) and Ziaf Enterprises Maldives (40%). Subsequently majority shares were purchased by SPA Aviation of Sri Lanka. The Airline operations were affected during the Asian Tsunami in December 2004 and flew some relief material to affected islands. The Airline was chartered by the media and press accompanying the Turkish Prime Minister when he visited the Maldives for surveying the damage done by the Tsunami. The airline discontinued all flights in May 2005 and finally ceased operations in August 2005 after disagreement between SPA Aviation and A. Faiz on financial and administrative control. Capt. Anup Murthy was the GM/CEO of the company and the Maldives CAD approved Accountable Manager for the company from inception. SPA Aviation had plans for reviving the Airline but could not do so as their source of funding did not materialize, till press time early 2006.
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
based in Gan, Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
. It operated services linking the southernmost island of Gan to other main islands in the Maldives. Its main base was Gan International Airport.
The airline ceased operations in August 2005.
History
The airline was established in 2003 and received its air operator's certificate on 10 October 2004 from the Maldives Civil Aviation Department. It started operations on 15 October 2004 with flights from Gan to the capital MaléMalé
Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where...
. It is owned by A Faiz/A Murthy (60%) and Ziaf Enterprises Maldives (40%). Subsequently majority shares were purchased by SPA Aviation of Sri Lanka. The Airline operations were affected during the Asian Tsunami in December 2004 and flew some relief material to affected islands. The Airline was chartered by the media and press accompanying the Turkish Prime Minister when he visited the Maldives for surveying the damage done by the Tsunami. The airline discontinued all flights in May 2005 and finally ceased operations in August 2005 after disagreement between SPA Aviation and A. Faiz on financial and administrative control. Capt. Anup Murthy was the GM/CEO of the company and the Maldives CAD approved Accountable Manager for the company from inception. SPA Aviation had plans for reviving the Airline but could not do so as their source of funding did not materialize, till press time early 2006.
Destinations
Air Equator operated services to the following domestic scheduled destinations (at January 2005):- Gan (ceased operations)
- HanimaadhooHanimaadhoo AirportHanimaadhoo Airport is a domestic airport located on the island of Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.-Facilities:The airport resides at an elevation of above mean sea level...
(ceased operations) - KaadedhdhooKaadedhdhoo Domestic AirportKaadedhdhoo Airport or Kaadedhdhoo Domestic Airport is an airport located on the island of Kaadedhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll, Maldives. The airport is located south of Thinadhoo. It was opened in 1993, by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom....
(ceased operations) - MaléMalé International AirportIbrahim Nasir International Airport , more commonly known as Malé International Airport, previously known as Hulhulé Airport, is the main international airport in the Maldives...
. (ceased operations)