BeOnd, CEO speaks: 'Problems solved, we will be more punctual'. Milan-Malé is above expectations and announces 3 flight
Cancellations and delays of up to hours, with just a handful of flights from Milan to Malé taking off on time in the [...]
BeOnd
MXP
Maldives
Cancellations and delays of even hours, with just a handful of flights from Milan to Malé taking off on time in recent months. What is happening to BeOnd, the all-Business airline that has been connecting Italy and the Maldives since last July.? After reports from some readers and the article written in late December, The Flight Club asked the company's CEO, Tero Taskila.
In this article:
According to Flightradar data, which we reported, during the last two months of 2024 the flight from Milan took off on time on just two occasions...
"We are aware of this situation, but it is less dramatic than that reported on Flightradar, which we are working with so that they are more accurate relative to our performance in terms of arrival and takeoff times of our flights. Having said that, we certainly have had punctuality issues over Milan."
To what is the reason for these prolonged difficulties?
"The delays we have been experiencing are mainly related to two factors. One is completely independent of us, and that is the instability experienced in the area of Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine, which has led to repeated closures of airspace in that region at the very times when we were supposed to transit there. This has forced us to make detours that have affected flight times by as much as 45 to 60 minutes."
What about the other factor?
"It is the delayed arrival of an 'ETOPS kit' intended for our largest aircraft, the Airbus A321. Having to operate outside the ETOPS procedures (which are those that allow aircraft with two engines to fly long distances over expanses of water, ed.), under unfavorable weather conditions, we have experienced on the Dubai-Malé route and the Malé-Dubai route in the opposite direction an increase in flight time of up to 30 to 40 minutes, with the loss of the arrival slot, which in a congested airport like Malé is a big problem that can waste more time."
Do you know when this kit will arrive?
"We are expecting it in February. It will have to be certified by the relevant authorities, and then it may allow us to fly with a more direct trajectory between Dubai and Malé and in the opposite direction, or at least to 'adjust' more elastically the route according to the weather conditions. So, we expect that in the coming weeks, the situation will improve markedly."
How do you juggle when one of your flights arrives in Malé just before sunset or after sunset, when seaplanes can no longer fly?
"I must emphasize that they are very organized in Malé, as delays to incoming flights are anything but a rarity, partly because of the penalizing airport infrastructure and partly because of highly variable weather conditions. So, we have always received the utmost cooperation from the airport authorities and the companies operating the seaplanes."
On Milan you have been flying for seven months now. What has been the market's response?
"I would say it has been above expectations. We had a very good start in July and August last year, then an inevitable downturn in September and October, but with the arrival of the Maldivian high season, which runs from December to March, we are again doing very good numbers, to the point that we have applied to increase from two to three weekly frequencies in Winter 2025-2026 and are awaiting approval from the relevant authorities to announce the new connection."
In Europe you also fly to Munich and Zurich, and in the Middle East to Dubai and Riyadh. What other markets are you looking at?
"Actually, our priority for 2025 will be to increase frequencies to the destinations we already serve. But as the fleet grows we are also aiming elsewhere. Bangkok has long been on our 'wish list,' and then it is no secret that we are looking with great interest at China."
To do this you will need more than the two aircraft you have in your fleet....
"Yes, and in fact during the course of 2025 or at the latest sometime between the end of 2025 be the beginning of 2026, another 68-seat A321 and a 56-seat A320 will arrive. Then in 2026, another 44-seat A319 and a third A321, which could also be a -neo. all of course outfitted with our all-Business interiors, will enter the fleet."
