Seaplane operator Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has welcomed its milestone 60th aircraft in November and ended the year with a total of 61 DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft in its fleet.

The company also made a historic relocation to a brand new base after almost 30 years at its old seaplane base. The relocation was a necessary step for the expansion of seaplane operations in the country, as the terminal holds twice as many seaplanes as TMA's old base. It has also enabled Velana International airport in Male to open its new runway, more than doubling the number of jet movements that can be handled which will dramatically boost tourist arrivals to the Maldives.

Last year the government of Maldives also acknowledged and recognised Trans Maldivian for its exemplary contributions to the tourism industry's expansion over the last 50 years; the company received the President's Tourism Gold Award at a gala held to celebrate the Golden Year of Tourism in the Maldives. TMA CEO AUM Fawzy also received the Appreciation Award from the Ministry of Tourism for his contributions to the industry, presented by His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the 50 Years of Tourism Appreciation reception.

TMA was honoured with a number of international accolades for its accomplishments last year. The South Asian Travel Awards named the company as the 'Leading Tourist Transport Provider (Air)', and it was awarded the title of 'Seaplane Company - Regional Winner' at the World Luxury Awards 2022. TMA defended its title as the 'Indian Ocean's Leading Seaplane Operator' for the ninth consecutive year, while also winning the title of 'World's Leading Seaplane Operator' for the eighth year at the World Travel Awards 2022.

Year 2023 marks 30 years of seaplane operations in the Maldives. Since 1993, TMA has pioneered point-to-point connectivity in the country and has given the tourism industry the confidence to expand to the outer atolls beyond Male.

From humble beginnings with two aircraft and four passengers to now transferring over a million passengers every year to over 80 resorts across 14 atolls, TMA has grown to become one of the largest companies in the Maldives, a key contributor to tourism infrastructure and the backbone of the industry in the country. TMA remains committed to continuously evolve and grow alongside its partners and the industry in the year ahead.