Maldives Renames National Carrier
Text of report by Maldives pro-government newspaper Miadhu News website on 26 August
Island Aviation Services has been re-branded from “Island” to “Maldivian” at a ceremony held for the purpose last night. Maldivian was officially inaugurated by President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
The re-branding ceremony, in addition to President Gayoom was attended by Minister of Tourism Dr Abdulla Mausoom, airline’s Managing Director (MD) Bandhu Saleem, top level government officials, staff and business partners.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tourism Minister Dr Mausoom said the re- branding will have a beneficial effect on the country, the tourists and the airline as well. He said this was a new step taken towards venturing in to the international markets.
President Gayoom addressing the gathering said that the re- branding will help develop the country further and will help publicize the country’s name and image across the globe. He said it is the wish of every Maldivian to see the airline emerge as a full- fledged airline that reflects the country and the culture, image and nationality of its people. He praised the service being provided by the airline and noted that it had improved over the years.
He said the airline’s flights to neighbouring Sri Lanka are very important and that it reflected the airline’s future aspirations. He said increased air transportation, both domestic and international, will not only boost the country’s economy but will be a useful and convenient service to the people.
MD Bandhu Saleem highlighted that the re-branding exercise is not just a change in livery or logo. He said it reflected the origins and most importantly the country it belonged to. He further revealed that when the company’s newly-purchased Dash 8 -Q 300 arrives it will display the airline’s new name “Maldivian”.
The airline informed that the name Maldivian was selected for its simplicity and effectiveness in giving immediate recognition as the nation’s very own airline and more importantly to represent the people of the country.
Originally published by Miadhu News website, Male, in English 26 Aug 08.
(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.