Maldives' Beond aiming for 4Q23 debut, adjusts fleet plan

ITA Airways takes first A330-900

ITA Airways (AZ, Rome Fiumicino) took delivery of the first of its seventeen A330-900s on May 26, 2023.

EI-HJN (msn 2035) was delivered directly from the Airbus facility at Toulouse Blagnac to Rome Fiumicino. It is the first of ten A330-900s the carrier will take from the manufacturer in addition to a further seven units on due from lessors, including five from Air Lease Corporation and two from AerCap/GECAS, the ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows. EI-HJN is ALC-owned.

The carrier will outfit its A330-900s with 291 passenger seats, including 201 in economy class, 36 in comfort economy, 24 in premium economy, and 30 in business class.

ITA Airways will use the A330-900s to replace its eight A330-200s inherited from Alitalia which are 13.1 years old on average.

The Italian carrier, which is set to be minority-owned by Lufthansa Group, is in the process of renewing and growing its legacy post-Alitalia fleet. It plans to operate seven A220-100s (none delivered...

UAE's Arabesque to operate as BeOnd from Maldives

BeOnd (BYD, 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...

Editorial Comment: Article updates with BeOnd's comment. - 26.03.2023 - 13:20 UTC

UAE's Arabesque to operate A321neo, selects base

BeOnd (BYD, Malé) has announced its initial fleet will comprise sixteen A321-200neo in a business-class-only configuration with seats provided by Optimares.

The boutique carrier also said it has now selected its first base but did not disclose its location. It did not respond to ch-aviation's request for clarification.

Arabesque - which is the start-up's working name - plans to operate 60 long-haul, leisure-driven routes out of its first base. The company is currently hiring and expects to employ around 400 staff by the end of 2022. It has not outlined a detailed timeline for its launch just yet. Previously, it said it was planning to lease up to 32 aircraft.

The French carrier with a similar albeit less grandiose business model, La Compagnie (B0, Paris Orly), operates two A321-200NX(LR)s, according to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module.

Arabesque eyes scheduled all-premium market