Maldivian, the national airline and leading domestic carrier, has recently expanded its fleet with the arrival of a new ATR aircraft. The brand-new ATR42-600 aircraft landed at Velana International Airport in the afternoon of the previous day, marking the airline’s third ATR aircraft acquisition this year. In fact, earlier this year, the airline had already taken delivery of two ATR 72-600 series aircraft.

This new aircraft acquisition is part of a larger fleet overhaul plan that Maldivian has been implementing in recent years. The airline is looking to replace its aging Dash8 fleet with ATRs, as the former aircraft is no longer in production. The decision to switch to ATRs was made to ensure that Maldivian’s fleet remains modern, efficient, and able to meet the needs of its customers.

The new ATR aircraft order was placed in January 2022, reportedly costing around USD 60 million (MVR 925 million), which the airline is financing through a loan. With the addition of the third ATR, Maldivian will have a total of six ATR aircraft in its fleet. The airline plans to add three more ATRs by the end of 2023, which will enhance the travel experience for its passengers.

This fleet expansion is part of Maldivian’s plans to grow its operations and offer greater connectivity to its customers. Currently, the airline operates scheduled services to 12 destinations in the Maldives, as well as international destinations in South Asia and the Middle East. With the addition of more ATRs, Maldivian hopes to expand its network and improve its services to meet the demands of its growing customer base.