phase, in the 1990s, Air Maldives, boosted by a new flow of investment, went international again. Air Maldives became a joint venture airline between the Maldivian government, which owned 51 percent, and Naluri Berhad (the majority shareholder of Malaysia Airlines), which held the remaining 49 percent. The airline's operations were extended and on 10 November 1994 began operating scheduled flights to Dubai, Colombo, Trivandrum and Kuala Lumpur. Flights to Bangkok and London (via Dubai) were introduced later on. Bankruptcy In 2000, Air Maldives was dissolved due to bankruptcy with losses estimated at between US$69.2 million. The circumstances of the demise of the Maldive national flag carrier were at best obscure and they were never fully publicised. Apparently, officers in high government posts are meant to be protected by this silence. Maldivian people were disappointed and puzzled at the secrecy and the strange and sudden circumstances of the disappearance of their national airline. Explanations were asked in a quite loud and straightforward manner for a country that does not have free press. But all the blame of the bankruptcy was conveniently heaped on Malaysian entrepreneur Tajudin Ramli, former Malaysia Airlines chief executive officer, and public outcry in the Maldives soon died down. Fleet 2 x Airbus A300 (leased and returned) 3 x Airbus A310 (leased and returned) 1 x de Havilland Canada Dash 8 (Still in service with Maldivian (airline) as 8Q-AMD) 2 x Dornier 228 (Both scrapped in 2008) 1 x Short SC-7 Skyvan (Sold in 1991) 2 x Convair 440 (1 sold, 1 scrapped) Livery Over 26 years of operation, Air Maldives aircraft went through four different liveries. Destinations France - Paris Germany - Frankfurt India - Trivandrum Japan - Tokyo Maldives - Male', Gan, Hanimaadhoo, Kaadedhdhoo, Kadhdhoo Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur South Korea - Seoul Sri Lanka - Colombo Thailand - Bangkok United Arab Emirates - Dubai United Kingdom - London, Manchester References External links Defunct airlines of the Maldives Airlines established in 1974 Airlines disestablished in 2000 1974 establishments in the Maldives