The first ever seaplane from Manta Air has been brought to Maldives.

With a capacity to hold 19 passengers, the first ever seaplane of Manta Air was brought to Maldives on Wednesday, within 10 hours, revealed the airline’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Taking away luggage space, the craft can accommodate up to 15 people at once, said Manta, adding that two pilots will operate the craft.

The seaplanes are to be operated in local resorts.

Chief Marketing Officer Ahmed Maumoon revealed that the operations will begin after the new service level is launched and that they hope to further improve their services by operating on a fixed schedule.

While seaplane operations are estimated to commence throughout November, Manta Air revealed that they have established an interim terminal in order to speed up the commencement of the operations.

A total of 10 seaplanes will be brought by the airline, out of which seven will be brought before the end of 2019. The second seaplane is expected to be brought in on Thursday.

Manta expanded its domestic flight operations in April 2019 and so far, Manta has been operating three domestic flights in the Maldives with the airline’s main hub located on the island of Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu atoll. The airline will soon begin flights to Thimarafushi island in Thaa atoll as well as its own seaplane travels.

Its domestic flight operations commenced in 2018 with four seaplanes and three 72-passenger ATR aircrafts.