Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has revealed that it will soon suspend its domestic operations due to the economic difficulties being experienced world
Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) has revealed that it will soon suspend its domestic operations due to the economic difficulties being experienced world wide.
Speaking at news conference the airline’s Managing Director Edward said the airline will cease domestic operations as of 1 March. He said the decision to suspend domestic operations is mainly due to the current global economic difficulties and was taken as a last resort. However, he revealed that the company will still continue its float operations. He also said even though domestic operations has been suspended all activities planned for the future will continue.
TMA Deputy MD Mohamed Latheef speaking on the matter said, following the decision, the company will cease all operations to Gan / Addu atoll; Kadehdhoo / Gdh atoll and Hanimaadhoo / Hdh atoll effective 1 March and 31 of the 37 staff serving the company on various capacities in the domestic operations will be lose their jobs. He said all will be given three months notice and that the lucky 6 staff who are not laid off are engineers and pilots who could be used in float operations.
“We had to suspend operations due to economic difficulties resulting from the world credit crunch, the domestic market has reduced considerably, all these we were supporting our domestic operations from revenue generated from our float operations, laying off these employees is a last resort action, we had no other choice, we are fully aware this will cause great discomfort and difficulties for their families and themselves, as a token of our good will , we are affording them 3 months notice even though their contract with company only requires one month notice” said Latheef.
Latheef also said despite suspension of domestic operations, the company will still operate tourist transfer flights to resorts using float airplanes. He also said all activities planned for the company’s future will continue uninterrupted. In this regard, he said 4 trainees will depart to US next week to pilot training.
“We will be stopping our domestic operations as of 1March, at the same we are also announcing the company’s future plans, 5 new aircrafts will be added to our fleet by the end of this year, 4 trainees will depart to US to undergo flying training next Wednesday” Latheef said.
Latheef also said customers with conformed bookings will be able to travel, without any difficulties, till the end of the month and that the two 46 seat aircrafts used in domestic operations will be grounded.
“We are considering all options on what to do these two aircrafts, we have not reached any decision as yet, and we are not sure whether we commence domestic operations any time in the near future” he said.
He also emphasized despite laying off staff in domestic operations, jobs of employees working in float operations are secure and that with the addition of 5 aircrafts employment opportunities will increase in future.
TMA is the second airline in the country, other Island Aviation, which provides domestic air services. TMA also operates float aircrafts to transfer tourists directly from the airport to their respective resorts. The company, presently, operates 17 seaplanes and two 46 seat aircrafts.
Speaking at news conference the airline’s Managing Director Edward said the airline will cease domestic operations as of 1 March. He said the decision to suspend domestic operations is mainly due to the current global economic difficulties and was taken as a last resort. However, he revealed that the company will still continue its float operations. He also said even though domestic operations has been suspended all activities planned for the future will continue.
TMA Deputy MD Mohamed Latheef speaking on the matter said, following the decision, the company will cease all operations to Gan / Addu atoll; Kadehdhoo / Gdh atoll and Hanimaadhoo / Hdh atoll effective 1 March and 31 of the 37 staff serving the company on various capacities in the domestic operations will be lose their jobs. He said all will be given three months notice and that the lucky 6 staff who are not laid off are engineers and pilots who could be used in float operations.
“We had to suspend operations due to economic difficulties resulting from the world credit crunch, the domestic market has reduced considerably, all these we were supporting our domestic operations from revenue generated from our float operations, laying off these employees is a last resort action, we had no other choice, we are fully aware this will cause great discomfort and difficulties for their families and themselves, as a token of our good will , we are affording them 3 months notice even though their contract with company only requires one month notice” said Latheef.
Latheef also said despite suspension of domestic operations, the company will still operate tourist transfer flights to resorts using float airplanes. He also said all activities planned for the company’s future will continue uninterrupted. In this regard, he said 4 trainees will depart to US next week to pilot training.
“We will be stopping our domestic operations as of 1March, at the same we are also announcing the company’s future plans, 5 new aircrafts will be added to our fleet by the end of this year, 4 trainees will depart to US to undergo flying training next Wednesday” Latheef said.
Latheef also said customers with conformed bookings will be able to travel, without any difficulties, till the end of the month and that the two 46 seat aircrafts used in domestic operations will be grounded.
“We are considering all options on what to do these two aircrafts, we have not reached any decision as yet, and we are not sure whether we commence domestic operations any time in the near future” he said.
He also emphasized despite laying off staff in domestic operations, jobs of employees working in float operations are secure and that with the addition of 5 aircrafts employment opportunities will increase in future.
TMA is the second airline in the country, other Island Aviation, which provides domestic air services. TMA also operates float aircrafts to transfer tourists directly from the airport to their respective resorts. The company, presently, operates 17 seaplanes and two 46 seat aircrafts.
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