Maldivian has officially opened its new seaplane terminal.
The terminal was officially inaugurated by Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen at a special ceremony held to mark the occasion. Maldivian Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas and senior officials of the company also attended the ceremony.
Maldivian’s new seaplane terminal has been completely modernised and developed to provide luxury-standard services. The terminal was designed in consultation with resorts and other stakeholders, with the aim of providing passengers with a comprehensive travel experience.
The terminal has been designed around a special theme showcasing the Maldives’ natural beauty and culture to tourists.
Maldivian said the terminal will also feature a unique audio theme specially created for the facility. Unlike the general area of the previous terminal, which did not have air conditioning, the newly opened terminal is fully air-conditioned.
Special facilities at the terminal include the “Huvandhumaa” lounge, two private lounges on the upper floor, a children’s play area, and a kiosk selling Maldivian-branded souvenirs and food. The terminal has seating capacity for 90 people indoors and 40 people outdoors.
Developed with completely new and comfortable furniture, the terminal also features a dedicated garden area, which Maldivian said is not available at terminals operated by other operators, as well as a viewing deck overlooking the seaplanes and the waterway.
Environmental protection has also been prioritised under the project. A waste-bottle recycling system has been established to prevent plastic bottles from being discarded into the sea.
The vehicles used to transport passengers include BYD battery-powered vehicles. New training guidelines have also been introduced to improve the quality of staff services, while a staff canteen has also been opened.
Maldivian currently operates 11 seaplanes and is working to add two more aircraft to its fleet. The airline currently operates seaplane services to four islands.