The national airline Maldivian has indefinitely suspended its flights to China, amid ongoing operational challenges.

According to reliable sources, the suspension follows a technical issue with Maldivian’s Airbus A330 aircraft, which has been grounded. In the interim, flights to China were being operated using a smaller Airbus A320. It has also been reported that earlier suspensions were prompted by dissatisfaction from the Chinese agent over the use of transit flights between China and the Maldives.

While the issue has received coverage in Chinese media, Maldivian has yet to provide detailed public statements on the matter.

The grounding of the A330 has significantly impacted Maldivian’s international operations. For instance, despite high demand on the Bengaluru route, the airline is currently operating these flights with an ATR 72 aircraft, which has led to growing dissatisfaction among passengers. The ATR 72 has a capacity of 70 passengers, compared to 164 on the A320 and 260 on the A330.

The A330, Maldivian’s only wide-body aircraft, is configured with Business, Premium Economy, and Economy classes and supports long-haul operations. It also allows each passenger to carry up to 40 kilograms of baggage, making it a critical asset for the airline’s international services.

Although the government had previously announced that an additional A330 would be acquired in April 2025, and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had stated that the new aircraft would begin operations as early as October 2025, sources have confirmed that the delivery has been delayed. The new aircraft is now expected to arrive in January 2026.