Maldivian, the national flag carrier, has introduced its first Airbus A330 flights to Cochin and Trivandrum, India, in response to increased demand during the holiday season.

The new service aims to accommodate a surge in passengers, particularly Maldivians traveling for medical treatment to these cities. Cochin and Trivandrum have long been popular destinations for medical tourism, and Maldivian's decision to deploy the A330 is a direct response to this demand.

Previously, the routes were operated by smaller aircraft, the ATR 72 and Airbus A320. With the introduction of the A330, which has a capacity of 264 seats, the airline will offer additional capacity. Maldivian has confirmed that it will continue to operate the A330 on these routes if passenger demand remains high.

Delivered in January 2024, the A330 currently operates direct flights to three destinations in China. Additionally, the airline is working to acquire a second wide-body aircraft to expand its operations to European destinations in the near future.