TMA Becomes the First Airline in Asia to be Endorsed by DeHavilland Canada

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Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the World’s Largest Seaplane Operator, proudly accepts the certificate of endorsement from De Havilland Canada, the manufacturer of the Twin-Otter aircraft. The endorsement recognizes the airlines’ Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul  (MRO) facility as a DHC Endorsed Service Center, marking a historic milestone for the company, being the very first organization to be recognized in the South Asia Region.

During the official endorsement ceremony held at TMA’s hangar at Velana International Airport on 5th May 2024, the esteemed certification was presented by De Havilland CEO, Mr. Brian Chafe to Trans Maldivian Airways CEO, Mr. A.U.M Fawzy. The event was graced by the presence of the owners of De Havilland, Mrs. Sherry Brydson and Mr. Robert McDonald, alongside senior management and representatives from both De Havilland and Trans Maldivian Airways.

TMA’s CEO Mr. Fawzy reflected on the company’s three-decade-long journey with the Twin Otter Aircraft during the ceremony, highlighting the intrinsic link between TMA’s success to the durability and versatility offered by the Twin Otter Aircraft. Mr. Fawzy also pledged TMA’s ongoing commitment to serving as the foremost brand ambassador for the Twin Otter aircraft globally, while extending his heartfelt gratitude to De Havilland for the support extended to TMA throughout the years.

Mr. Brian Chafe, CEO of DeHavilland Group expressed his admiration witnessing the sheer scale of the Twin Otter operations in the Maldives. He noted the impressive frequency of flights during peak hours, with take-offs and landings occurring nearly every minute, and having TMA complete 2 million flight cycles on Twin Otters, which is a feat that is unprecedented anywhere else in the world. Mrs. Sherry Brydson, & Mr. Robert McDonald, owners of DeHavilland echoed Mr. Chafe’s statement, expressing their astonishment at the seamless integration of Twin Otters into the Maldivian tourism industry and emphasizing their significant contribution. De Havilland Group reiterated their support for TMA and expressed eagerness for future collaboration opportunities, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in aviation history.

Trans Maldivian Airways is home to the largest MRO facility for Twin Otter Aircraft globally, enabling the airline to conduct Major Maintenance within the Maldives. These services encompass a wide range of offerings, covering full aircraft re-life, full wing re-life, full aircraft re-wiring, avionics and cockpit upgrades, cabin modifications, refurbished interiors, and interior standardization. Moreover, TMA’s MRO facility also houses several in-house shops and workshops, ensuring quality and efficiency.

With over 30 years of experience servicing various models of the Twin Otter aircraft family, Trans Maldivian Airways boasts a dedicated team of over 300 highly qualified aircraft maintenance personnel. Notably, TMA takes pride in nurturing its local talent in the field of aircraft maintenance, with a majority of local technicians and engineers holding key positions within the company.

TMA revolutionized the Maldivian tourism industry in 1993 with the introduction of Twin-Otter seaplanes, and has evolved into the world’s leading seaplane operator, with an impressive fleet of 65 DHC-6 Twin-Otters. The introduction of seaplanes bridged significant transportation gaps in the  country and has become an indispensable component of the Maldives experience.

TMA’s endorsement from De Havilland enhances the Maldives’ prominence in aircraft maintenance, garnering international acclaim for the nation, while further solidifying the airlines’ footprint as a preeminent global leader in the aviation industry.  As Trans Maldivian Airways continues to push the boundaries of excellence in aviation, this accomplishment marks a pivotal moment in TMA’s illustrious journey, setting new standards for innovation, service, and collaboration in the aviation industry.

TMA Awarded the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator 2023

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Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), has been awarded prestigious title of the World’s Leading Seaplane Operator at the 30th Annual World Travel Awards. Mr. A.U.M Fawzy, TMA’s CEO and Mr. Shubham Moondhara, Head of Corporate Strategy and Business Development, proudly accepted the award on behalf of the airline at the Gala event held at Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab on the 1st of December 2023. With travel & tourism industry professionals and guests voting to determine the winners in each category, the World Travel Awards are considered the ultimate mark of industry excellence.

Established in 1993, TMA has played a vital role in revolutionising the travel landscape of the Maldives, establishing point-to-point connectivity and providing crucial infrastructure support that has facilitated the development of resorts across the nation. As the Maldives continues to thrive as a premier destination and the number of resorts and tourist arrivals continue to grow, TMA remains committed to offering its partners increased flexibility and a range of tailor- made services, positioning itself as an indispensable partner in the continued success of the Maldives as a globally renowned island holiday destination.

Beyond dominating Maldivian aviation, TMA has has also become a global behemoth, exemplifying unparalleled efficiency across the entire aviation industry. The world’s largest seaplane operator, not only by scale. TMA operates over 400 daily flights, extends its services to over 90 world class resorts across 16 atolls, transports over a million passengers annually and operates a fleet of 65 De Haviland Twin Otters. TMA’s expansion efforts over the last 30 years have been driven by a commitment to meet the ever-growing needs of the industry, ensuring that TMA is ready to meet the dynamic demands of partner resorts with agility and excellence. Notably, TMA has expanded its operations beyond the conventional seaplane zone, now reaching Laamu and Gaafu Alifu Atoll, ensuring more guests can explore every corner of the Maldivian paradise with unrivaled convenience.

Trans Maldivian Airways has consistently distinguished itself in the industry, thanks to its relentless commitment to excellence an innovation in seaplane operations, and continues to be recognized as an industry leader globally. Recent accolades include “Indian Ocean’s Leading Tourist Transfer Provider (Air)” at the South Asian Travel Awards 2023 and “Indian Ocean’s Leading Seaplane Operator” at the World Travel Awards 2023.These prestigious accolades reaffirm TMA’s position as the leading air transport provider in the Maldives.

The company expresses heartfelt gratitude to its esteemed resort partners and dedicated team members who consistently exceed expectations in providing superior services, maintaining its commitment to service excellence. Looking ahead, Trans Maldivian Airways remains focused on further enhancing its services, fostering trust, and instilling conVidence among its guests who rely on them as their Gateway to Paradise.

TMA named the Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Air) at SATA Awards 2023

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We are thrilled to be named the Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Air) at the prestigious South Asian Travel Awards 2023.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished panel of judges and all those who cast their votes for us. To our esteemed partners and incredible team, your integral roles in our success are truly appreciated. Thank you!

SATA Awards 2023 was held at Sheraton Grand Bengaluru on the 10th of October 2023 and was attended by industry professionals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka; all nominees under multiple categories.

TMA Restarts Employee Recognition Program, Honors Outstanding Employees

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At Trans Maldivian Airways, we always believe in a culture of achievement and recognition, hence we do celebrate when our employees deliver above & beyond in serving our clients, fellow colleagues or the company. After a period of silence during the Covid Pandemic, we have now re-started our Employee Recognition Program, across the company.

We recently held our company-wide award ceremony for outstanding performance demonstrated by our employees during the times of pandemic, by going an extra mile serving the demands of the time under dire conditions. This is just a re-start of the TMA Employee Recognition program that sets the tone and paves the way for a finer bonding and enhanced engagement culture that we are thriving to have at all times among all teams in the time to come.

It’s our employees and teams that deliver a service excellence to our exclusive clientele in a challenging and demanding set up here in the Maldives – the Sunny side of life.  Each and every client is of utmost importance to our company, thus understanding their different needs and service standards, and delivering our services to their optimum satisfaction is the core in our operations. Therefore, we believe that employee engagement and a culture of recognition for people is crucial in a dynamic business environment like ours.

A simple ‘thank you’ is often all it takes to show appreciation to anyone. We go beyond, and have three levels of recognition to say ‘thank you’ for good deeds performed by our employees beyond their call of duty in delivering and serving our clients, fellow colleagues or the company.  Department level recognition, and company-wide recognition that steered by a ‘Recognition Committee’ are monthly events where any one can nominate any employee for their extraordinary contributions.  Annual Awards for excellence is an event that encompasses all great performance across the year.

At TMA, we recognize efforts tied to more than just performance, and it is our understanding that recognizing efforts openly boosts employee morale and amplifies the sense of achievement exceptionally. Therefore, whilst congratulating all 99 team mates those who received awards this time for their exemplary efforts during the past two years, we wish to continue with the cheerful culture of recognition at Trans Maldivian Airways, again and again, in the time to come!

Trans Maldivian Airways Celebrates the Underwater World of Maldives

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Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) unveiled an aircraft with a new special livery to celebrate the underwater world of Maldives. The event held yesterday evening at TMA Seaplane Base was graced by the Honorable Minister of Tourism, Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, who was joined by the Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation Mr Thoyyib Mohamed, the Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Ltd, Mr. Gordon Andrew Stewart, along with the senior management of Trans Maldivian Airways and other major stakeholders.

With the launch of this new livery, Trans Maldivian Airways hopes showcase the beauty and importance of marine life, and raise awareness and promote sustainable continuity of biodiversity and the world’s oceans at the same time. Trans Maldivian Airways recognizes the importance and is passionately involved in projects that promote continuity in the seas, oceans and marine life. Most notably, TMA also actively supports Olive Ridley Project’s Marine Turtle Rescue Centre by helping them transport rescued turtles.

Seaplane

TMA TO CARRY OUT PASSENGER FLIGHTS TO TRANSFER INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES AMID COVID-19

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Today Trans Maldivian Airways conducted 4 charter flights to assist the transfer of guests from its partner resorts Komandhoo Maldives, The Standard Maldives Huruvalhi, Cheval Blanc Randheli, Soneva Fushi and non-partner hotel The Barefoot Eco Hotel Hanimadhoo (near its partner resort Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa) to Velana International Airport connecting Qatar Airways International departure.

Qatar Airways flight 652 conducted today was a special commercial passenger flight operated to Maldives for guests/staff in Maldives to reach their home countries, after the travel restrictions implemented by Maldives government as a measure of increased boarder control to contain the spread of COVID-19.

As the most experienced air transport provider in Maldives, the company is fully prepared and resourced up to assist its partners or any other party to transfer passengers/ staff from the islands to Velana International Airport connecting special repatriation or commercial flights upon request.

TMA flights

Photo credits: aviatorsmaldives

 

Grounded TMA Aircraft

TEMPORARY SCALING DOWN OF TMA OPERATIONS

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Covid-19 pandemic has massively impacted the travel and tourism industries globally, including in the Maldives.  As a company that is almost entirely built around the tourism economy and is in the business of transporting tourists visiting the Maldives, Trans Maldivian Airways has not been spared from the impact of the pandemic.

The international turbulence stemming from the coronavirus, increased border control measures and travel restrictions across the world (including key revenue generating markets for the Maldives), an almost complete stop to international travel, and local restrictions on entry (in the form of suspension of visa on arrival) have resulted in tourist arrivals to Maldives coming to a grinding halt.

As a result of the above unanticipated and unprecedented circumstances, most of the resort partners of TMA have announced closure of their respective resort islands for a period of 3 to 4 months. TMA presently serves as an exclusive transfer partner to more than 80 resorts in Maldives. Hence, with no tourist arrivals into the country and subsequent closure of resorts, TMA had to take the hard decision to reduce its capacity with effect from 1st April 2020. This will involve cessation of regular scheduled flights, grounding of a large part of its fleet, transitioning to an on-demand service and rolling back its operations.

While TMA presently focuses its efforts on weathering the storm, it takes the opportunity to pay gratitude to all the front line staff across the world who are working tirelessly and selflessly in order to ensure the present situation can be brought under control. The company believes that the pandemic will be brought under control and in turn, the Maldives’ tourism industries will rebound with TMA seaplanes again creating connections between the world and the glittering, unparalleled islands that many of you treasure.

Once the travel restrictions are lifted and it is safe to travel again, TMA looks forward to welcoming tourists back to the beautiful Maldives.

TMA TAKES PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES FOR COVID-19

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It is with our sense of great responsibility that we share our awareness video which showcases and demonstrates some of the cautionary actions, among an extensive array of preventive/precautionary measures taken throughout the company to avert the spread of the COVID-19. The safety of our mutual guests and staff alike is of utmost priority to us amid this global health emergency. Hence we would like to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of hygiene in our aircraft, all ground transportation vehicles, passenger waiting areas and throughout TMA terminals, so that you and your loved ones can travel with confidence.

Refer to our awareness video below;

TMA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2020

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It was a proud moment as we celebrated all of our Wonderful, Outstanding, Marvelous, Amazing and Noteworthy women at Trans Maldivian Airways on this year’s International Women’s Day, 08th March 2020, who have been an integral part of our success story for over 30 years since the humble beginning in 1989.

Our female staff were presented with a bouquet of flowers and delicious chocolates as a symbol of appreciation for their dedication, commitment and hard work contributing equally to ensure smooth and seamless flow in our everyday operations and most importantly all our overall accomplishments over the years.

It was a pleasure to celebrate women around the world because an equal world is an enabled world!

 

MAIDEN FLIGHT ON JOALI MALDIVES BRANDED AIRCRAFT

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JOALI Maldives: A place for the joy of living, is a heavenly island destination situated in Raa Atoll, offering utmost luxury to anyone who decides to walk on their sandy beaches.
Last year, we conducted the first TMA flight to JOALI Maldives which also marked the start of exclusive transfer services by Trans Maldivian Airways to the resort. Today we marked another significant day for both JOALI Maldives and TMA as we unveiled their very own JOALI Maldives branded aircraft, furnished with a customized interior for our mutual guests of the resort to indulge and relax en-route their island paradise.

After cutting the ribbon, signifying the official launch of the aircraft, the guests enjoyed the picturesque journey from Velana International Airport to the resort. The seaplane journey is often cited as one of the most memorable moments of a Maldives holiday and we take pride in providing such unique moments for our mutual guests.

We at TMA are delighted to have been chosen to provide the transfer service to JOALI Maldives, yet another stunning island destination and look forward to a successful partnership in the years to come.