Maldivian Air Taxi

Maldivian Air Taxi

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IATA ICAO Callsign MV MAT "AIR-TAXI"
Founded	November 4, 1993
Ceased operations	2013
Hubs	Ibrahim Nasir International Airport
Fleet size	20
Destinations	52
Company slogan	A Unique Experience
Headquarters	Malé
Key people	Lars Erik Nielsen (Founder and Chairman of the Board)
Website	http://www.maldivianairtaxi.com

File:Maldivian air taxi.jpg

Flight 8Q-MAO (in Kenn Borek Air colours) preparing for boarding.

Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT) was a domestic carrier in the Maldives and was one of the largest seaplane operators in the world, operating over 500 flights a week during the peak tourist season. With its humble beginnings in November 1993, with only two aircraft, MAT grew in direct response to the opening of newly developed resorts that require seaplane transport services for their guests.

In 2013, the American equity fund Blackstone Group announced that they were acquiring both MAT and rival company Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA). A merger was brought underway and a new company was founded, retaining the Trans Maldivian Airways name, and the colours of MAT. TMA now operates 44 Twin Otters including 3 brand new 400 series.

History

The airline was established in 1993 by Danish investors and started operations in the same year. It is wholly owned by Lars Erik Nielsen (Chairman) and has 275 employees (at March 2007).

Fleet

At the time of the merger, Maldivian Air Taxi's fleet included the following aircraft (at December 2010).

• 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 100
• 1 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 200
• 19 de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300

The Maldivian Air Taxi also has previously indicated plans to replace all of their DHC-6-100/-200/-300's with the new -400 Series by Viking Air.

File:Maldives Air Taxi landing.jpg

An M.A.T. flight landing (Special livery)

External links

• Maldivian Air Taxi
• Maldivian Air Taxi at Kenn Borek Air
• Viking Air