Villa Air, Flyme Takes Off into the International Aviation Platform
Saturday 5th of September 2020
Villa Air, Flyme Takes Off into the International Aviation Platform
Villa Air first started operation of its airline brand, Flyme, back on 1st October 2011, with just two ATR 42-500 aircraft under the visionary leadership of Chairman Hon. Qasim Ibrahim. But now, the company has a fleet of four ATR aircraft consisting of one 72 seat ATR 72-600 and two 68 seat ATR 72-500 and one 48 seat ATR 42-500.
By gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in the aviation industry during, as of October 2020, 9 years of aviation services, Villa Air, Flyme is pleased to announce their first international commercial flight that operated on September 4th from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport.
The flight operated was a charter, the company’s brand-new ATR 72-600 aircraft with 72 passenger seat capacity and consisting of a 100% Maldivian crew, and lifted off from Velana International Airport, launching the airline into the international aviation platform.
Prior to this flight, the company had successfully completed the rigorous certification processes required by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, on 3rd September 2020, to obtain a variation allowing Flyme to operate international flights using its Maldivian Air Operator Certificate.
Villa Air acknowledges the efforts and thanks the entire Villa team, who had brought this project to a success. The company also thanks the various institutes of the Government of Maldives, especially the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, who had worked through some challenging conditions to complete the certification process.
Furthermore, they thank the Sri Lankan government authorities and Sri Lankan partner Lanka Sportraizen for coordinating the efforts in Sri Lanka for the charter flight, as well as various different individuals and organizations that worked with them over the course of their journey, to achieve this important milestone for the company and Maldives aviation as a whole.
Flyme will continue work towards starting scheduled flights between Maldives and Sri Lanka as soon as Sri Lankan borders reopen as well as to neighbouring country, India. With this international operation, Villa Air hopes to be able to contribute a faster recovery of the Maldivian economy as countries slowly open their borders.
Cover: http://www.flyme.mv/