Maldivian carrier Manta Air, which recently added a Beechcraft 1900D on wet-lease, plans to launch scheduled passenger services next year linking the Maldives to Sri Lanka and southern India.

Manta Air deputy CEO, Ahmed Maumoon, tells local media the domestic scheduled carrier is seeking approval to launch scheduled international passenger services next year linking the Maldives to Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo and to three southern Indian cities.

The three Indian cities are: Bangalore, Trivandrum and Cochin, says Maumoon, adding that India is a strong international inbound market for the Maldives.

He says the Colombo service will use Bandaranaike International Airport.

Manta Air is a domestic passenger operator that primarily serves the country’s high-end resorts. It has a fleet of De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Series 300 Twin Otter seaplanes and three ATR 72s plus it recently added a Beechcraft 1900D.  Manta Air chief operating officer, Edward Alsford, says in a statement on social media that the 1900D is wet-leased from South African carrier King Air.

Feature picture shows a Manta Air ATR 72.