Expanding the Fleet: Maldivian to Add Five New ATR Aircraft, Proposals Invited

The Maldives' national airline, Maldivian, has declared intentions to buy five more ATRs. The airline is currently inviting bids from prospective lessors for the new aircraft, which will either be brand-new or used under lease agreements that last between six and twelve years.

Maldivian's operator Island Aviation Service (IAS) published a notice outlining its hunt for three operational leases or agreements to be utilised in its operations. In order to employ them in its airline operations, Maldivian plans to purchase three aircraft through operating leases or contracts. One aircraft will be either purchased through a sale and leaseback (SLB) agreement or leased to Maldivian as the property of another firm. In addition, the airline is looking for one flight under a financing lease, which is a contract to lease a flight for usage after another party pays for it. In the first quarter of 2025, this aircraft will be integrated into Maldivian's operations.

The top three proposals will be chosen and notified on May 21. Submission deadline is May 4.

Maldivian's decision to purchase further ATR aircraft follows the airline's signing of a contract in January 2021 to replace its outdated Dash-8 fleet with three ATR aircraft. A new ATR-42 aircraft was used for flights in late April, while two new ATR-72 aircraft were delivered to the Maldives in January and are now in use for operations.

The difficulty of maintaining the ageing Dash-8s, which are progressively being phased out, led the airline to decide to switch to an all-ATR fleet. Moreover, the Maldives has stated that it intends to sell its final nine Dash-8 aircraft over the following two years.

Maldivian's purchase of five additional ATR aircraft is anticipated to strengthen the airline's operations and support the expansion of the Maldives' tourism sector, which has been growing quickly in recent years.