Maldivian, the main airline and national carrier of the Maldives, has signed a firm order for two ATR-42-600 aircraft.
Back in July 2023, the airline issued a Request for proposals (RFP) for the financing of these two new aircraft.
The new aircraft will be added to the three ATRs currently operated by the airline, one ATR-42-600 and two ATR-72-600s. Maldivian’s ATRs are powered by Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engines.
The Malé-based airline has been an ATR operator since January 2023 and is relying on the European manufacturer to modernize its aging Bombardier turboprop fleet.
According to data from ch-aviation, as of September 2023, Maldivian operates one DHC-8-200, one DHC-8-Q200 and six DHC-8-Q300, with a seventh aircraft, a DHC-8-Q300, showing as inactive.
Air connectivity is essential for the tourism-based economy of the Maldives and as part of its fleet renewal program, Maldivian also plans to add long-range capacity, with the arrival of two Airbus A330 aircraft. The aircraft will make it possible for the airline to fly nonstop to some of the markets where Maldives-bound tourism traffic originate.
Maldivian also operates a single Airbus A320 jet, leased from Marathon Asset Management, and 11 amphibious De Havilland-Canada DHC-6 Twin Otters, which can be fitted with floats to operate between the numerous islands of the Indian Ocean archipelago