New Maldives-Milan Route Stop: World’s First Premium Leisure Airline Expands

DUBAI- Beond Airlines (B4), a boutique airline based in Dubai, has recently made an unexpected change to its flight routes. The airline is now routing its service between Malé (MLE) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) through Red Sea International Airport (RSI) in Saudi Arabia.

This change replaces the former stop at Dubai World Central (DWC), marking a milestone as Beond becomes the first airline to offer a European route through this Red Sea location.

Beond Airline Red Sea Stop

Previously, Beond’s flights from Malé to Milan operated via Dubai with flight numbers B4080/81. The updated schedule now consists of:

• B4080: Malé (MLE) departs 12:15, arrives at Red Sea (RSI) at 17:15, and then RSI→Milan (MXP) departs at 18:00, arriving at 21:20.
• B4081: Milan departs at 22:20, arrives at RSI at 05:00 (+1), then RSI→Malé departs at 05:45, arriving at 14:05 (+1).

This new routing adds around 100 miles each way. Travelers can now easily connect between Milan and Red Sea or between Red Sea and Malé with Beond’s services.

Strategic Implications

Founded in 2023, Beond prides itself on being the “world’s first premium leisure airline.” While its focus has been primarily on flights to the Maldives, the airline often pauses operations, leaving its future plans unclear.

Earlier this year, Beond announced intentions to add 18 new destinations in 2025-26, though no new aircraft orders have been made public, and none of the planned routes have launched yet.

This new route aligns well with Saudi Arabia’s goal of enhancing its Red Sea coast as a luxury tourism spot. It seems to be the inaugural scheduled European service connecting to RSI, which was highlighted by industry sources.

Nonetheless, this change has raised questions regarding the airline’s long-term strategy. Observers may interpret this adjustment as more of an opportunistic move rather than a cohesive part of a well-planned expansion.

Outlook for Expansion

Beond’s recent service alterations coincide with a time of stagnation in its expansion goals. Although it publicly announced plans for 18 new destinations to launch in 2025-26, it has not disclosed any new aircraft orders, and none of the proposed routes have come to fruition.

The airline has a limited fleet, and its growth trajectory remains uncertain.

For aviation enthusiasts and travelers, the new Milan-Red Sea-Malé route is intriguing. However, this change may focus more on tapping into emerging tourism regions and incentives rather than establishing a more extensive long-haul network.

Whether this signifies the beginning of a broader Red Sea strategy or is merely a singular occurrence is yet to be determined.

Bottom Line

Beond’s switch in routing for its Malé-Milan flights, now including a stop at the Red Sea, represents a significant twist in its expansion plans.

This move not only presents a new European link to the Red Sea area but also offers the airline greater flexibility in passenger pick-up. However, it also raises questions about Beond’s strategic direction and commitment to growth.

While travelers can enjoy this innovative routing, uncertainties linger regarding future plans and fleet capabilities. What are your thoughts on this new routing?