Maldivian orders its first ATRs

The national airline of the Maldives, Island Aviation Services Ltd (dba. Maldivian), and ATR announced the signing of a contract for the purchase of the first aircraft of the Italian-Free manufacturer.

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Specifically, there will be two ATR 72-600 and one ATR 42-600. All three aircraft will be delivered in 2022. Maldivian becomes the second operator of the model in the country after Manta Air acquired three ATR 72-600s in 2019.

Mohamed Mihad, Managing Director of Maldivian, said: «We are pleased to take this next step in our expansion plans with ATR. We believe the new generation of ATR aircraft with XT engines offers something we have been looking for in modernizing our fleet, taking a step toward sustainability while keeping an eye on operating costs and improving cabin modernity and passenger comfort.»

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The company will benefit from Pratt & Whitney’s new PW127XT engines unveiled at the 2021 Dubai Airshow, which offer a 3% reduction in fuel consumption and a 20% reduction in maintenance costs, along with the ability to use sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

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Stefano Bortoli, Chief Executive Officer of ATR, stated: «Despite the current pandemic, operators are looking to the future and this contract is a strong symbol of the resilience of the aviation sector. Our aircraft have proven their reliability connecting the islands of many archipelagos for nearly four decades; we welcome the Maldivian as a new customer and are proud to contribute sustainably to the modernization and expansion of the Maldivian flag carrier.»

The airline has two Dash-8 Q200s and eight Dash-8 Q300s with an average age of 22 years, according to Ch-aviation, which will be replaced by ATRs. According to data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, these aircraft represent 78.8% of the airline’s operations, mainly to domestic destinations (Funadhoo, Fuvahmulah, Gan, Gadhdhoo, Hanimaadhoo, Hoarafushi, Ifuru, Kadhdhoo, Kaadedhdhoo, Kooddoo, Kulhudhuffushi, Maafaru, Thimarafushi) and Sri Lanka (Colombo).

The airline’s fleet is completed by eleven amphibious Twin Otters, one Airbus A320ceo and one A321ceo.