Maldivian’s ATR aircrafts used for Cochin trips

The national airline Maldivian has begun using one of the two ATR 72-600 aircrafts it recently purchased, in its operations to India’s Cochin.

An official from Maldivian told Sun that the airline began using ATR aircrafts due to low demand. He said that the airline will continue to also use its Airbus A320 aircrafts in its Cochin operations.

The official said that the airline’s new ATR aircrafts have the capacity to carry passengers to Cochin.

It marks the first time for the airline’s ATRs to be used in international operations.

Maldivian had purchased the two new ATRs to replace the Dash aircrafts used in the airline’s domestic operations. However, the airline has decided to also use the aircrafts in its international operations.

The ATR 72-600 aircrafts are 74-seaters. Maldivian is also in the process of bringing in an ATR 42-600 aircraft. The total investment for the three aircrafts is estimated to reach MVR 863.5 million (USD 56 million).

The third aircraft is expected to arrive in Maldives on Sunday afternoon.