Beond — the world’s first premium leisure airline — unveiled its sophisticated and unique aircraft livery yesterday at an event in Malé, Maldives. The event was attended by dignitaries, investors, supporters, and employees, where the airline showcased its first aircraft, an Airbus A319 seating 44 passengers in a luxurious all lay-flat configuration.
“Welcome to Beond. Our aim is simple: to fly our customers to Maldives, a most unique and unspoiled destination where they can release their inner explorer on the most memorable vacation of their lives,” said Tero Taskila, CEO of Beond, and a founder. “We could not be more pleased to showcase our aircraft in Maldives, our home. We wish especially to thank the government of Maldives and our supporters there, the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority, and SIMDI Group and other investors from around the world — each of whom believed in our vision for a new airline in Maldives. Our team will do its best to bring tourists to this beautiful nation.”
Beond’s inaugural flights are scheduled for November 2023, with the Riyadh inaugural departing November 9, the Munich inaugural departing November 15, and the Zurich inaugural departing November 17. Between today and the scheduled service launch, early bird customers have chartered the aircraft to experience the Maldives.
“Today is the realization of a dream I first had for years,” said Max Nilov, Chief Strategy Officer of Beond, and main founder. “I had a dream of this airline, for this aircraft, and for this experience for passengers. We have created a premium experience coupled with an operating philosophy that is unmatched.”
Said Sascha Feuerherd, Chief Commercial Officer of Beond: “The response by customers and stakeholders has been excellent in our launch cities — which was to be expected. And now the interest has grown from other new origins on our route map. I look forward to greeting our first passengers as they board.”
Beond will fly a fleet of state-of-the-art Airbus A320-family aircraft in a unique luxury, lay-flat configuration, bringing passengers to Maldives from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. This first Beond aircraft will be on display at the Dubai Air Show in mid-November. Additional Airbus aircraft will join the Beond fleet in late 2023 and early 2024. Beond is building a positive footprint in Maldives. Indeed, even before starting service, the airline has more than 75 employees in Maldives, and anticipates hiring 1,600 pilots and cabin crew for Maldives
On the arrival of the first aircraft of Beond, SIMDI Group expressed their joy of being a part of this exciting journey in unveiling the world’s first premium leisure airline. For over two decades, SIMDI has shaped the Maldivian tourism landscape, pioneering some of the first luxury resorts in the paradise nation.
