National airline Head of Training & Standard/ Head of ATO Captain Ahmed Hunain gave an interview to Raajje TV today regarding flight operations.
Here are key points Captain Hunain highlighted from the interview:
Prior to covid19 the airlines seaplane fleet was flying 10-15 flights per day; Dash8 fleet up to 35-40 flights per day; airbus fleet up to 2-3 flights per day.
Flight crew and other technical staffs require trainings some of which are conducted in other countries however it is not possible due to the halt in international airline traffic due to which MCAA with guidelines from ICAO and EASA has easen regulations. HPA assisted heavily through out the operations carrying out trainings for front line staffs. There is over 300 staffs working actively in the front line alone from Maldivian. Seaplane fleet carried out the biggest flight operations related to Covid19 and the crews have transferred over 80+ positive patients.
Seaplane crews wear hazmat suite and work up to 8-9 hours per day since they carry positive patients. Dash8 crews wear PPE and work up to 6-8 hours per day. Airbus crew wear PPE and work up to 14-16 hours per day as they carry out long international flights. Due to restrictions now enforced in foreign countries these crew no longer stay back for rest period and continue flight back to Maldives. Through out Maldivian has assisted in flying back tourists and foreign employees who were stuck in Maldives and also carried out flights to bring back locals stuck in other countries. Maldivian has since started cargo operations domestically and internationally. Maldivian employees had minimum pay reduction till May however there would be further reduction in pay from June on wards
In April the airline introduced a new SOP guideline to operate under new normal procedures. The airline is conducting safety evaluations in domestic airports for the reopening under new normal. Maafaru international airport is under development to be ready for international operations.
Captain Hunain further thanked the president of the Maldives, government agencies and all employees