Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) is a private airline based in Malé International Airport and is the oldest air transfer operator operating in the Maldives. It operates seaplanes to resort islands.
[edit] History
Originally Hummingbird Island Helicopters (established in 1989) and renamed Hummingbird Island Airways in July 1997, it began operations with a fleet of helicopters. In January 2000 Hummingbird Island Airways was renamed Trans Maldivian Airways. The first seaplanes were introduced in 1997 and from 1999 to 2007 Trans Maldivian Airways operated a fleet entirely made up of seaplanes. In August 2007 it started operating domestic flights to Gan with an ATR 42.
Due to financial reasons Trans Maldivian ceased flight operations to the 4 domestic airports on 1 March 2009.
[edit] Destinations
TMA aircraft in operation
Hummingbird Helicopters Logo
- Domestic
- Malé (operations suspended)
- Kaadedhdhoo (operations suspended)
- Gan (operations suspended)
- Hanimaadhoo (operations suspended)
- Resort Islands
- Reethi Beach Resort
- Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
- Kihadhufaru Island Resort
- Royal Island Resort
- Cocopalm Dhunikolhu
- Meeru Island Resort
- Soneva Gili
- Kuramathi Island Resort
- Soneva Fushi
- Paradise Island Resort
- Cocopalm Island Resort
- Fun Island Resort
- Angaga Island Resort
- Mirihi Island Resort
- Machchafushi Island Resort
- Maafushivaru Island Resort
- Vakarufalhi Island Resort
- Sun Island
- Holiday Island
- Vilu Reef Island Resort
- Velavaru Island Resort
- Kuredu Island Resort wwww.kuredu.com
- Komandoo Island Resort www.komandoo.com
- Veligandu Island Resort
- Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa
[edit] Services
Services provided by the company includes [1]:
- Scenic flights
- Resort transfers
- Picnic flights
- Aircraft charter
- Domestic air services
[edit] Former Fleet
Trans Maldivian Airways Fleet
| Aircraft |
Out of Service |
Passengers |
Notes |
| ATR 42 |
March 2009 |
40 |
Used for operating to domestic airports |
[edit] Incidents and accidents
[2]
As Hummingbird Island Helicopters
- On 8 January 1994, a MIL Helicopter (LZ-CAP) carrying 14 passengers and 3 crew was destroyed on impact to the ocean. The passengers and cabin attendant died.
- On 15 August 1996, a MIL Helicopter (LZ-CAC) carrying 24 passengers lost control 50 m above the ground on take-off. No one obtained any serious injuries.
- On 26 January 1999, a MIL Helicopter (LZ-CAK) carrying 20 passengers lost its left engine, two minutes after take-off from Rangali Helipad. The Helicopter was written off.
As Hummingbird Island Helicopters
- On 3 February 2000, a Cessna Caravan 208 (8Q-HIF) sprung back and rolled over on the nose while landing at Filitheyo Resort. All 9 passengers received minor injuries.
As Trans Maldivian Airways
- On 17 May 2004, a De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300 collided with the sea-wall of runway 18 at Malé 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. 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.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
