Maldives Airways
Encyclopedia
Maldives Airways was an airline which began operations in 1984 in Malé
.
Its fleet consisted of two McDonnell Douglas DC-8s. This was quite impressive considering that Air Maldives
, the state airline, was operating only one Short Skyvan at that time.
. The PLO was a partner in the establishment of this airline of the Maldives
and was also the owner of the Air Bissau airline, then headed by Faiz Zaidan, who is now in charge of civil aviation for the Palestinian Authority. This airline was one of the many companies which also functioned as a screen for the secret activities of the PLO at that time and Maldives Airways planes were engaged in smuggling weapons or drugs for the Palestinian Authority.
The Maldivian authorities allowed this airline to be operated from Maldivian soil without restrictions. But it is not clear whether they were aware of the nature of its operations. The maiden flight of this airline brought a group of local officials and travel agents from Malé to Gan Island
in Addu Atoll
and back.
The Maldives Airways aircraft could often be seen on the tarmac at Hulhule Airport, but it was not always known which routes they were making. There was at least one regular flight between Malé and Dubai
(UAE) during the two years the airline operated.
Certain tourist resort operators were alarmed about the PLO having a foothold in the Maldives and the German press echoed those concerns, for the biggest share of tourist arrivals to the Maldives was from Germany. Some time in the late eighties the airline went bankrupt. In 1987 the two Maldives Airways DC-8s were sold to Connie Kalitta Services
. People in the Maldives don't want to talk about this defunct airline now, especially local government officials. Like in the Air Maldives bankruptcy, a great part of the blame is put on former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
's wish of having a Maldivian prestige international airline at any cost, regardless of the company's shady financial operations.
Malé
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...
.
Its fleet consisted of two McDonnell Douglas DC-8s. This was quite impressive considering that Air Maldives
Air Maldives
Air Maldives was the first national airline and flag carrier of the Maldives. It was established on 1st October 1974 during the presidency of Ibrahim Nasir...
, the state airline, was operating only one Short Skyvan at that time.
History
Maldives Airways was jointly owned and operated by the PLOPalestine Liberation Organization
The Palestine Liberation Organization is a political and paramilitary organization which was created in 1964. It is recognized as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people" by the United Nations and over 100 states with which it holds diplomatic relations, and has enjoyed...
. The PLO was a partner in the establishment of this airline of the 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...
and was also the owner of the Air Bissau airline, then headed by Faiz Zaidan, who is now in charge of civil aviation for the Palestinian Authority. This airline was one of the many companies which also functioned as a screen for the secret activities of the PLO at that time and Maldives Airways planes were engaged in smuggling weapons or drugs for the Palestinian Authority.
The Maldivian authorities allowed this airline to be operated from Maldivian soil without restrictions. But it is not clear whether they were aware of the nature of its operations. The maiden flight of this airline brought a group of local officials and travel agents from Malé to Gan Island
Gan (Seenu Atoll)
Gan is the southernmost island of Addu Atoll, as well as the southernmost island of the Maldives. It is relatively large by Maldive standards....
in Addu Atoll
Addu Atoll
Addu City is a city in Maldives consisting of the inhabited islands of the southernmost atoll of the archipelago....
and back.
The Maldives Airways aircraft could often be seen on the tarmac at Hulhule Airport, but it was not always known which routes they were making. There was at least one regular flight between Malé and Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
(UAE) during the two years the airline operated.
Certain tourist resort operators were alarmed about the PLO having a foothold in the Maldives and the German press echoed those concerns, for the biggest share of tourist arrivals to the Maldives was from Germany. Some time in the late eighties the airline went bankrupt. In 1987 the two Maldives Airways DC-8s were sold to Connie Kalitta Services
Kalitta Air
Kalitta Air is an American cargo airline headquartered in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, United States. It operates international scheduled and ad-hoc cargo charter services. Its main base is Willow Run Airport near Ypsilanti.-History:...
. People in the Maldives don't want to talk about this defunct airline now, especially local government officials. Like in the Air Maldives bankruptcy, a great part of the blame is put on former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was President of the Maldives from 1978 to 2008. After serving as Minister of Transport, he was nominated as President by the Majlis of the Maldives and succeeded Ibrahim Nasir on November 11, 1978. He eventually became the longest-ruling head of government in Asia...
's wish of having a Maldivian prestige international airline at any cost, regardless of the company's shady financial operations.