National airline Maldivian has placed orders for two additional ATR aircraft as part of efforts to modernise its fleet and gradually replace its ageing Dash 8 aircraft.

Speaking to State media, Maldivian Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas stated that the airline is continuing its fleet replacement programme, which began in 2022, to transition from Dash 8 aircraft to ATR aircraft.

Iyas said the first of the two newly ordered aircraft is expected to arrive in the Maldives later this year, while the second aircraft is expected to be brought in during the latter part of next year.

He said the arrival of the two aircraft would allow Maldivian to complete a significant part of its fleet modernisation programme by phasing out more of its Dash 8 aircraft and expanding ATR operations.

The Dash 8 aircraft currently operated by Maldivian have been used for domestic flights since 2008. Iyas said the aircraft are now ageing, with some more than 25 years old, leading to higher maintenance costs.

He noted that production of the aircraft type largely stopped around 2009 or 2010, making maintenance more costly and difficult.

Maldivian currently operates five ATR aircraft. Iyas said the most recent ATR aircraft acquired by the airline was the first brand-new aircraft purchased in the history of Island Aviation, as previous acquisitions had generally involved used aircraft.

The airline’s current fleet consists of 27 aircraft, including one Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, one Airbus A320 narrow-body aircraft, five ATR aircraft, nine Dash 8 aircraft and 11 Twin Otter aircraft.

Island Aviation is also working to bring a second wide-body aircraft to the Maldives later this year, as part of efforts to expand Maldivian’s international services.