Operating out of Velana International Airport, TMA is the oldest air transfer operator operating in the country, providing seaplane transfer services to a large number of tourist resorts. TMA in 2013 operated the world's largest seaplane fleet.[2] As of 2016, December it operates out of Gan International Airport, servicing resorts in Addu, and Huvadhu Atoll.
History
Hummingbird Island Airways
The airline was founded in 1989 as Hummingbird Island Helicopters by pilot Kit Chambers. The company operated a strictly helicopter fleet of aircraft, moving tourists from the airport to a select number of island resorts. 1993 saw the establishment of Maldivian Air Taxi, a direct competitor offering more-preferred seaplane transfers. In order to revive the market, the company was rebranded as Hummingbird Island Airways in 1997, introducing Twin Otter seaplanes to its fleet. By 1999, the fleet had transitioned out all helicopters and had a seaplane-only lineup.
Trans Maldivian Airways
In the year 2000, Hummingbird Island was rebranded as Trans Maldivian Airways, under new management. In the next years, TMA acquired a fleet of 16 Twin Otter seaplanes, operating alongside Maldivian Air Taxi to provide transfer services to a growing number of tourist resorts in numerous atolls of the archipelago.
In 2006, TMA announced intentions to acquire 3 ATR 42 aircraft to begin operations to the domestic airports scattered in the atolls.[3] One of the ATR aircraft were brought to Male' in early 2007, and operations began to Gan in August.[4] In 2009, TMA announced that they were suspending all domestic operations due to losses, and the two ATR aircraft acquired were subsequently sold.[5]
2011 saw the first Twin Otter Series 400 aircraft brought to the TMA fleet, bringing the total fleet to 23.
Maldivian Air Taxi, established in 1993, was the sole competitor of TMA in the seaplane transfer industry. The company boasted the world's largest seaplane fleet. On February 4, 2013, the American equity fund Blackstone Group announced their buyout of the majority stake of both Trans Maldivian Airways and Maldivian Air Taxi, to form a new company with a combined fleet of 44 seaplanes, making it the largest seaplane fleet in the world by far.[2][6][7] The new company would retain the Trans Maldivian Airways brand name, with a new logo and livery integrating the colours of Maldivian Air Taxi.
The new merger company, with conjunction with the Maldives Transport Authority, has proposed to launch seaplane services to inhabited islands in the atolls, in addition to the currently served resort islands.[6]
Sold to Bain Capital
On December 18, 2017 – Bain Capital Private Equity announced that it has formed a consortium to acquire Trans Maldivian Airways ("TMA"), the world’s largest seaplane operator headquartered in the Maldives, from Blackstone Group. The Bain Capital-led consortium includes Shenzhen Tempus Global Business Services Holdings Ltd ("Tempus Global") (300178) and TBRJ Fund 1 L.P. Bain Capital, which is headquartered in the US, will own approximately 80% of TMA.[8]
Destinations
TMA Terminal
TMA has seaplane transfer services for tourists to and from the following resort islands:[9]
On 17 May 2004, a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 collided with the sea-wall of runway 18 at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport after experiencing problems taking off from the seaplane base at Hulhule, adjacent to the international airport. Both pilots and one passenger were seriously injured in the accident.[14] The aircraft, SN 434, was written off. Subsequently, SN 434 was rebuilt by Viking Air Limited to serve as the technical demonstrator (proof of concept) aircraft for Series 400 Twin Otter development. It flew again as a Series 400 prototype in the fall of 2008, and is currently registered as C-FDHT.
On 27 May 2017, a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 100 (8Q-TMV) landed on Male's sea plane port at 08:33L (03:33Z) but tipped over to the left and came to a stop partly submerged with the nose and left wing tip below the water surface.[15]
On 13 November 2021, a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 100 (8Q-MBC) struck an overwater villa at the Finolhu Hotel Resort on Baa Atoll as it was taking off for Male's sea plane port. The aircraft suffered damage to the right wing, propeller and engine while the villa had minor damage. No persons were seriously injured. [16]
On June 9, 2024, a De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter amphibious aircraft was involved in an incident upon landing at the Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. The luxury resort is located on Dharavandhoo Island, Baa Atoll, in the Maldives. Images and videos posted on social media shortly after the event show the aircraft listing to starboard after one of its floats apparently became detached.
References
^"Contact." Trans Maldivian Airways. Retrieved on April 21, 2015. "TRANS MALDIVIAN AIRWAYS (Pvt) Ltd. Ibrahim Nasir International Airport P.O. Box 2079 Male’ Republic of Maldives"
^ ab"Blackstone Press Release". Blackstone Announces Acquisition of a Majority Stake in Maldivian Air Taxi and Trans Maldivian Airways. 3 February 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
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