BeOnd (B4, Malé) Arabesque has announced that it will base its all-business-class A321-200neo out of Malé, Maldives, operating under the brand BeOnd.

The all-premium start-up carrier previously said it would operate to over 60 destinations, catering to the luxury travel sector. Its fleet target is to operate 16 aircraft configured for just 68 passengers each with full-flat beds in a 2-2 layout. The airline will be a partnership with the Maldives-based multi-industry holding SIMDI Group and will also offer limousine services, premium check-in, and other amenities.

"We are proud to launch the world's first luxury leisure airline here in the Maldives. We are working closely with the authorities to launch the airline the soonest and to many new destinations," Chief Executive Tero Taskila said.

Taskila clarified to ch-aviation that BeOnd would launch in the first quarter of 2023 using a Maldivian Air Operator's Certificate. Malé will be the first of three hubs planned by the carrier.

BeOnd will be the only privately-owned jet operator in the Maldives. The only other airline with one A320-200 and one A321-200 is the flag carrier Maldivian (Q2, Malé), the ch-aviation fleets module shows. Privately-owned Mega Maldives Air (Malé), which operated a B757-200s and four B767-300ERs, suspended operations in 2017 and went out of business a year later.

BeOnd's business model is most similar to that of La Compagnie (B0, Paris Orly), which operates all-business-class flights between the US, and France and Italy.