Exclusive | Will wealthy Hongkongers fly Maldives’ new all-business class airline? Beond sets sights on travellers with cash to splash
- Beond – pronounced ‘beyond’ – is targeting affluent travellers and hopes to fly to Hong Kong next year
- Its Airbus A321 will have only 68 seats, whereas other airlines fit 220 economy seats in the same space
A new luxury airline from the Maldives has set its sights on flying to Hong Kong next year following its expected launch this autumn, the Post has learned.
The new business-class only airline Beond – pronounced “beyond” – is targeting affluent holidaymakers to the Indian Ocean archipelago of 1,192 islands, offering a private jet experience with fully flat beds.
Dubai and Delhi are expected to be the first destinations when it launches later this year, pending regulatory approval.
Speaking to the Post from Dubai, Beond CEO Tero Taskila said the carrier was “very close” to taking off and was about to receive its first aircraft.
The Male-based airline hopes to start a non-stop service to Hong Kong early next year with a flying time of about 6½ hours, subject to securing aircraft and government approvals.
Taskila said it aimed to add three to five destinations in China, including Hong Kong, over the next 12 months depending on how quickly it could introduce new aircraft and complete regulatory negotiations with Beijing.
“Hong Kong is a significant market. We are a niche carrier in a way that we are operating purely a private jet experience on a full premium class cabin and there are people who appreciate that kind of environment,” he said.