All-business class carrier beOnd has paused flights between Europe and the Maldives – the vast majority of its scheduled operations – through the summer.
In a statement on social media, the airline said its guest experience team is reaching out to affected customers and will offer “flexible” options, including fee-free rescheduling for the winter or a full refund. Service will resume in October, the message said.
The carrier did not provide a reason for the pause, but it could be connected to higher jet fuel prices, which have forced airlines around the world to adjust their schedules.
BeOnd is headquartered in Dubai and operates from Velana International Airport in the Maldives. It connects the island chain’s capital city, Malé, with London, Paris, Moscow, Munich, Zurich, and Milan via Dubai, and operates nonstop flights from Riyadh and Red Sea International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
BeOnd advertises its flights as an alternative to private jet travel, with fully reclining flat-bed seating, gourmet meals, and boutique crew-to-passenger ratios. It currently operates two aircraft, an Airbus A319 and an A321.
The carrier has eyed routes to Australia and is in the process of setting up a joint venture in the U.S.
