beOnd Set to Double Its Maldivian Workforce as Gulf Expansion Accelerates

beOnd, the world’s first all‑premium leisure airline, is preparing for its most significant scale‑up since launching operations, with plans to double the size of its Maldivian team by the end of 2026.

The airline’s recent recruitment activity in Malé, including its fifth cabin crew assessment day, points to the growing staffing needs driven by its upcoming fleet expansion. With additional Airbus aircraft expected to join the operation over the next two years, beOnd is increasing its local hiring to support a wider premium‑leisure network and ensure sufficient crew availability as new routes and markets are added.

The airline’s rapid growth trajectory is also being shaped by a series of strategic developments across the Gulf. Most recently, beOnd announced a new partnership with Gulf Air, a move designed to enhance connectivity and elevate the end‑to‑end experience for premium leisure travellers. The collaboration brings together Gulf Air’s 75‑year legacy and extensive global network with beOnd’s boutique, all‑premium model, creating new opportunities for seamless travel into the Maldives.

Beyond partnerships, beOnd is pursuing a multi‑jurisdictional expansion strategy that positions the airline as a rising premium player across the Middle East. The company is currently exploring a Bahrain Air Operator Certificate (AOC) as part of a wider Gulf footprint, enabling it to diversify operations and strengthen regional connectivity.

This follows a major milestone in late 2025, when beOnd secured a USD 100 million Series C funding round. The investment accelerated plans for a new subsidiary in Saudi Arabia under its own AOC, further embedding the airline within the Gulf’s fast‑growing aviation ecosystem. As part of this expansion, beOnd has already begun operating services between Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport and Milan Malpensa, tapping into the Kingdom’s tourism ambitions and giga‑project development.

For the Maldives, the airline’s home base, the benefits are clear. A larger fleet, deeper Gulf partnerships, and new operating jurisdictions translate into more premium capacity, stronger inbound tourism flows, and greater employment opportunities for Maldivians. The decision to double the local team reflects beOnd’s long‑term commitment to building a globally recognised premium‑leisure brand rooted in the Maldives.

As recruitment continues and new aircraft join the fleet, beOnd is positioning itself not just as a boutique carrier, but as an emerging regional force with ambitions that stretch from the Indian Ocean to the heart of the Gulf.