The Flying Yellowfin Tuna - Newest of the Villa Air Flyme fleet


Maldives
PUBLISHED June 17, 2019

Via a Facebook post on their page Villa Airs Flyme has announced plans to begin commercial seaplane operations.

In the aforementioned post, they mentioned that they are planning to kick off the seaplane services to resorts after the completion of the new seaplane base at the main Velana International Airport.

The USD 800 million mega project for the expansion and upgrade the Maldives main gateway, will also include a new seaplane terminal. The four-storey terminal, which will be equipped with over 80 docking platforms and other support facilities, is expected to come into operation in August.

Flyme is reportedly bringing in four Twin Otter 300 series planes to begin seaplane operations. The planes are expected to arrive in Maldives by October.

Dubbed the Flying Yellowfin Tuna, Flymes seaplane livery is inspired by the yellowfin tuna found in abundance in Maldivian waters. With a colour scheme that resembles the yellow-coloured fins and finlets of the yellowfin tuna and the picture of a yellowfin tuna painted from tail to nose in navy blue, the livery pays homage to one of the most widely caught tuna species by Maldivian fishermen and a staple of the traditional Maldivian meal times.

Flyme had earlier brought in a Cessna Caravan C208 aircraft for seaplane operations but it was only used for charters as well as sight-seeing and excursion trips.

Seaplane is the preferred mode of transport between the main Velana International Airport and dozens of resorts, especially those located in outer atolls.

Two airlines currently handle seaplane operations: flagship carrier Maldivian and privately run Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA). A third operator, Manta Air is set to begin service this year.

 

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