News Release

Trans Maldivian Airways, the world's largest seaplane operator, celebrates vibrant year

2022 was a year of great milestones for Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the world's largest seaplane operator. The airline welcomed its milestone 60th aircraft in November and ended the year with a total of 61 DHC-6 Twin Otter Aircraft in its fleet.

TMA also made a historic relocation to a brand new base, after almost 30 years of operating seaplanes from its old seaplane base. The new terminal is a state-of-the-art facility designed to increase customer satisfaction and accentuate the overall guest experience. The relocation was a necessary step for the expansion of seaplane operations in the country, as the new terminal holds twice as many seaplanes as TMA's old seaplane base. It has also enabled Velana International Airport in Male to open the new runway, thereby more than doubling the number of jet movements which can be handled. This will boost the tourist arrivals to Maldives drastically.

Last year the government of Maldives also acknowledged and recognised Trans Maldivian for its exemplary contributions to the tourism industry's expansion over the last 50 years, with the company receiving the President's Tourism Gold Award at the Gala held to celebrate the Golden Year of Tourism in the Maldives. Further, TMA's CEO Mr. A.U.M. Fawzy received the Appreciation Award by the Ministry of Tourism for his contributions to the Maldivian Tourism Industry, presented by His Excellency Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the 50 Years of Tourism Appreciation Reception.

Trans Maldivian Airways was also honoured with multiple international accolades for its accomplishments in the year 2022, starting with the South Asian Travel Awards naming the company as the “Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Air)”. TMA was also awarded the title of “Seaplane Company – Regional Winner” at the World Luxury Awards 2022. TMA also once again defended its title as the “Indian Ocean's Leading Seaplane Operator” for the ninth consecutive year, whilst also winning the prestigious title of “World's Leading Seaplane Operator” for the eighth year at the World Travel Awards 2022.

Year 2023 marks another vibrant milestone for TMA; the 30th year of operating seaplanes in the Maldives. Since the introduction of seaplane in 1993, TMA has pioneered point-to-point connectivity in the country, and has given the tourism industry the confidence to expand to the outer atolls beyond Male'.

From its humble beginnings with two aircraft and four passengers to now transferring over a million passengers every year to over 80 resorts across 14 atolls, Trans Maldivian Airways has grown to become one of the largest companies in the Maldives, a key contributor to tourism infrastructure and the backbone of the industry in the country. TMA is looking forward to maintaining and further improving its service excellence, whilst fostering trust and confidence among its guests who rely on it to be their Gateway to Paradise and provide them with the most scenic flight!s. The company remains committed to continuously evolve and grow alongside its partners and the industry in the year ahead.