beOnd, the world’s first premium leisure airline, marks its first anniversary with a remarkable year of achievements and ambitious plans for 2025. With five origin cities today, beOnd plans to serve 54 destinations across 39 countries by 2028, underscoring its commitment to global expansion.
Since its launch, beOnd has welcomed over 8,000 passengers, with the aim to grow to 400,000 passengers annually by 2028. The airline currently operates two Airbus aircraft featuring all-business class configurations—a 44-seat A319 and a 68-seat A321—and plans to expand its fleet to 27 aircraft within the next four years.
The airline has made significant strides in redefining luxury leisure travel while laying the foundation for exponential growth in the years ahead.
Affordable luxury travel
“Our inaugural year has been extraordinary,” said Tero Taskila, CEO of beOnd Airlines. “From providing a world-class travel experience, to making meaningful contributions to the Maldives’ economy, we have delivered on our promise to offer affordable luxury travel. This is only the beginning, and our future plans reflect our ambitions.”
The Maldives, beOnd’s first destination, has proven to be a strong market with high demand from Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the Asia-Pacific regions. In just one year, the airline has become the second-largest provider of business-class capacity to the Maldives, offering flights from Zurich, Munich, Milan, Riyadh, and Dubai to Malé. The airline also launched flights between Dubai and Zurich, further solidifying its network and commitment to offering seamless connectivity for premium travelers.
Customer satisfaction remains at the core of beOnd’s operations. The airline’s Net Promoter Scores (NPS) are among the highest in the industry, with +68 for onboard experience and +35 overall, far exceeding the industry average of -10. A multicultural team of 200 employees from over 51 countries supports the airline’s mission to deliver exceptional service.
Collaboration with UAE’s GCAA
beOnd continues to strengthen its collaboration with the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), with discussions focusing on opportunities for beOnd to obtain an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for charter operations in the UAE, marking a significant step in the airline’s growth strategy.
With its world-class infrastructure and skilled workforce, the UAE provides an ideal foundation for beOnd’s growth. As part of this commitment, beOnd participated in the Tawdheef exhibition, the UAE’s leading Emiratisation recruitment platform. This marked the airline’s initial steps toward launching a nationalisation program to recruit and empower talented Emiratis, aligning with the UAE’s vision for sustainable economic growth.
A vision for the future
Looking ahead, beOnd plans to secure a second operating certificate in the GCC region by 2025, enabling further market expansion and attracting additional luxury travellers. The airline is also enhancing its airport lounges at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport and Malé’s Velana International Airport to elevate the travel experience even further.
“This past year has shown that beOnd is more than an airline; we are crafting a transformative experience,” Taskila added. “Our bold vision and strong foundation position us to create a future where luxury leisure travel is seamless, accessible, and inspiring.”
beOnd is not only redefining premium travel, but also will contribute $210 million to the Maldivian economy, as the airline estimates that it will contribute approximately 8 percent of the Maldivian GDP and 20 percent of foreign exchange by 2030. With its innovative approach and commitment to excellence, beOnd is poised to continue reshaping the future of luxury leisure travel.
