I flew AI263 BLR-MLE on 10 Aug and returned on AI264 MLE-BLR on 17 Aug.

Both directions had a stop in TRV, but no change of aircraft. At TRV, the BLR-TRV pax deplaned, security came onboard and had us point out our cabin bags to ensure nothing had been left behind by deplaned pax, followed by AI staff to verify our boarding passes. TRV-MLE pax boarded, and off we went. Arrived on time into MLE.

As was pointed out by SpeedFreak, yes, these are old all-economy A320 aircraft. On our return, we did have mechanical problems- APU was inop and we had no air conditioning while on the ground in MLE. Lav flush system inop, pax were given a bottle of water for flushing when entering the lav.

But the biggest issue:

After takeoff, we turned west then suddenly south, at which point the captain made an announcement that due to technical issues we were returning to MLE for immediate landing. Turned out they had smoke detector alarms from the cargo hold. Sat on the aircraft for about an hour while they made checks (with no air con and no water provided by cabin crew), determined that no smoke but a fault in the detection system. They finally determined that the only way to fly the aircraft would be to disable the system, but that would mean the cargo hold would have to remain completely empty, and thus all baggage could only fly in the cabin. Baggage that could not go in the cabin would have to remain till the next day's flight, and pax had the option to stay behind with the bags if they desired (AI would provide hotel). About 2-3 members of our dive group opted to stay behind in MLE, so we were able to give them all our prohibited items to bring back the following day.

So... we all deplaned, got our exit stamps cancelled, reclaimed our checked baggage, then had all bags re-scanned, removed all cabin-prohibited items (e.g., dive knives, large liquid bottles, etc.) from the bags. Then re-checked-in, got new BP's, then lugged our formerly-checked bags upstairs, re-exited Maldives immigration, had our large bags screened again for cabin access. At first, they would not allow us to go through immigration/security with all of our large bags, had to wait till the single AI employee talked with airport staff and told them that AI was allowing all these bags as cabin baggage, with "no weight or size restrictions." On board, I was amazed at the fact that some large suitcases actually fit in the overhead bins!

Flew to TRV, same process ensued as before for TRV pax, then continued on to BLR. Lugged all our baggage through immigration and customs (didn't need to wait for bags at the carousel, of course!). Arrived into BLR roughly 5 hours late.

The decision of taking all bags into the cabin was about the only solution that would allow the airplane to leave MLE with passengers, and I don't fault the flight and cabin crew for making the correct, safe decisions all the way through this experience.

HOWEVER--- Ground coordination in MLE was abysmal. Appears there is only one actual AI employee, the rest looked to be contract staff. Lots of confusing, contradicting information as to what was going on, what we're supposed to do, etc. While getting new BP's during the 2nd check-in, the agent (contract) commented how these problems (confusion, etc.) seem to occur only with AI, that other airlines were able to handle IRROPS situations much better.

So basically, if things are normal, it will be uneventful. But in the event of any type of IRROPS, all bets are off, especially considering the condition of the aircraft. I'd go with 263 so you have alternate TRV-MLE options if things go bad.