Maldivian acquires three fuel-efficient aircraft for domestic operations

The flag carrier of Maldives, Maldivian, has acquired three new aircraft for domestic operations.

In a statement released today, the airline said that they acquired two ATR 72-600 and one ATR 42-600; three which will be delivered within this year.

This is the first time the airline is purchasing ATR aircrafts. They noted that the contract pertaining to the purchase have already been signed between the two companies.

According to Maldivian, the newly acquired aircrafts are equipped with the new PW127XT engines – which offer improved fuel efficiency to help contribute to lower emissions and reduced maintenance costs in comparison to other ATR engines currently on market. In this regard, they detailed that PW127XT engines offer three percent reduction in fuel consumption and 20 percent reduction in maintenance cost. The airline also noted that the engine allows the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

Maldivian said that sustainable development is major concern for them, as an airline operation from a climate-vulnerable nation – as well as for ATR. On this note, they stressed that ART aircraft already boasts the lowest fuel consumption carbodioxide emissions of all regional aircraft – with ATR 72-600 consuming up to 40 percent less fuel than aircrafts in the category.

The airline detailed that the purpose of joining forces with ATR is to contribute to the economic development of the Maldives – as the initiative will complement the Maldivian government’s air connectivity policy and allow Maldivian to offer enhanced connectivity across Maldives.

Island Aviation’s Managing Director Mohamed Mihard said that the new generation of ATR aircrafts with PW127XT engines offer the airline what they have been looking for in modernization of their fleet and taking a step towards sustainability.

“We are pleased to take this next step in our expansion plans with ATR. We believe the new generation of ATF aircrafts with XT engines offer something we have been looking for in our fleet modernization, taking a step towards sustainability while keeping an eye on the operations costs as well as enhancing the cabin modernity and passenger comfort,” he had said.