Trans Maldivian Airways

Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) is a seaplane airline based at Velana International Airport in Male, Maldives. It flies holiday guests from the airport to resort islands across the Maldives atolls, and describes itself as the largest seaplane operator in the world. The company started in 1989 as Hummingbird Island Helicopters and is the oldest air services operator in the Maldives.

Fleet

TMA operates 67 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter seaplanes on floats. The company notes that the Twin Otter's short takeoff and landing performance suits operations across the 1,190 islands of the archipelago.

Services

• Scheduled seaplane transfers to more than 80 resorts
• More than 1,000,000 passengers carried per year
• Departures from its own Noovilu Seaplane Terminal, reached by minibus from the main airport check-in
• VIP travel service
• Flights to North and South Male, North and South Ari, Baa, Raa, Lhaviyani, Noonu, Shaviyani, Haa Alifu, Faafu, Vaavu, Dhaalu, Meemu, Laamu and Gaafu Alifu atolls

History

Hummingbird Island Helicopters added its first seaplane in 1997, became seaplane-only in 1999 and took the name Trans Maldivian Airways a year later. Maldivian Air Taxi, founded in 1993, combined with TMA in 2013 with backing from Blackstone. Bain Capital acquired the company in December 2017 together with Tempus Group, and The Carlyle Group took majority ownership in 2021.

Company facts

• Founded in 1989
• Fleet of 67 DHC-6 Twin Otters
• ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 22301:2019 and ISO 45001:2018 certified
• Publishes the Island Skies in-flight magazine

Contact

Phone: +960 3312 999 (resorts north of Male), +960 3312 777 (resorts south of Male)