Beond
BeondLogo
Beond Logo
IATA ICAO Callsign
B4 BYD BEOND
FoundedJanuary 2022 (2022-01)[1][2]
Commenced operationsSeptember 2023 (2023-09)[3]
Operating basesVelana International Airport (MLE)
HubsVelana International Airport (MLE)
Focus citiesVelana International Airport (MLE)
Fleet size1
Parent companyBeond Holding Limited
HeadquartersMalé, Maldives [2]
FoundersMax Nilov (CSO), Sascha Feuerherd (CCO), Tero Taskila (CEO) [4]
Employees60
Websitehttps://flybeond.com

BeOnd is a Maldivian airline based in the capital of Maldives, Malé. It was founded by aviation veterans Max Nilov and Tero Taskila in November 2022, and is slated to begin commercial operations by September 2023. The airline is a joint venture formed by the Emirati investment firm, Arabesque, and the Maldivian hospitality company, SIMDI Group. It is the world's first fully leisure-based airline as it is focusing mainly on travel and tourism industry. It plans to connect Maldives to multiple European and Asian countries with their cities, as well as to Australia.[5] It plans to operate to over 50 destinations in more than 25 countries with a fleet of over 30 aircraft in the next 5 years.[6]

History

The only way to enter Maldives from all countries is by air. At present, international airlines dominate operations at Velana International Airport, because Maldives, although has an existing flag carrier, Maldivian, it has a too small fleet to cater to the growth at the airport and to compete with international airlines, along with connecting more worldwide destinations. In view of the rapidly rising tourist arrivals in Maldives, to cope with this, three aviation veterans, Max Nilov, Tero Taskila (who is a former executive of Lufthansa) and Sascha Feuerherd, all with having more or around two decades of experience in the aviation industry, decided to create a new airline by forming a joint venture of two companies, Arabesque and SIMDI Group. It has been claimed as the world's first leisure-based airline, as its primary focus has been laid on to provide tourists all the world over with a premium, luxury experience and with a feeling of the Maldives islands.

The airline was incorporated in November 2022 and is expected to begin operations with a fleet of three Airbus A319 aircraft,[7] along with an additional four, to be leased from one of the world's largest aircraft leasing companies, BBAM, out of which the first aircraft is expected to arrive in September 2023. In 2024, it will take the delivery of Airbus A321LR and A321XLR aircraft. It plans to connect 52 direct destinations in 26 countries, and taking on around 1.5 million passengers with a fleet of 30-35 aircraft in five years. Some initial destinations include Dubai, Delhi, Hong Kong, Milan, Munich, Paris, Riyadh, Singapore, Taipei, Vienna and Zurich and a potential connection to Perth and Melbourne,[7] along with seasonal destinations such as Finland.

Facilities

The airline will have a seat configuration of 68 lie-flat seats instead of the standard 220 in a 2-2 format in its Airbus A321 fleet. Apart from the seats, passengers can indulge in a Michelin-star menu as food options along with providing private jet-like experience to passengers, such as five-star services like private airport transfers, lounge access and gourmet in-flight dining, apart from in-flight entertainment and internet network. The airline plans to provide concierge and chauffeur services out of private jet terminals, including tour packages at luxury resorts. Home check-in services will also be offered. There will be no check-in terminals at airports, eliminating the issue for long queues and delays. Although all seats will have premium-class fares, the airline will also go to the market with a competitive offering, by competing with business class fares in international airlines.[8]


The airline currently operates one A319-111 (Registered 8Q-FBA), leased from BBAM Aircraft Leasing & Management[9].

See also

References

  1. ↑ Tunney, Donna (23 November 2022). "What To Know About BeOnd: The World's First Luxury Airline In The Maldives". The Travel. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  2. 1 2 Bodell, Luke (26 November 2022). "Airline Startup: BeOnd Wants To Serve Maldives With All-Business Airbus A321". Simple Flying. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  3. ↑ Gokulam, Dhanusha (27 June 2023). "New airline Beond plans September launch on hyper-busy Dubai-Maldives sector". Gulf News. Dubai. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "About Us". BeOnd. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  5. ↑ Scott, Katherine (29 June 2023). "A new premium Maldives airline with all-flat seats is headed for Australia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Luxury airline Beond selects Riyadh, Munich, and Zurich as launch cities for Maldives". Arab News. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  7. 1 2 Scott, Katherine (29 June 2023). "A new premium Maldives airline with all-flat seats is headed for Australia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  8. ↑ Scott, Katherine (29 June 2023). "A new premium Maldives airline with all-flat seats is headed for Australia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "AIRBUS A319 - MSN 2119 8Q-FBA". Airfleets.net.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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