TOULOUSE, FRANCEThe national airline of the Maldives Maldivian, and Franco-Italian turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR signed an order agreement for the purchase of the airline’s first ATRs, two ATR 72-600 and one ATR 42-600.



The turboprops will be delivered to the airline through 2022.

The ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600 will be equipped with the new PW127XT engines, offering a 3% reduction in fuel consumption and a 20% reduction in maintenance costs, along with the ability to use sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).

ATR aircraft already committed to manufacturing the lowest fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The ATR 72-600 consumes up to 40% less fuel than similarly-sized regional jets.

Maldivian operates two Dash8 Q200, eight Dash8 Q300, and 11 De Havilland Twin Otter 300 along with two A320ceo series jets.

Maldivian is joining forces with ATR to contribute to the economic development of the archipelago. This initiative will complement the Government of Maldives’ air mobility policy and allow Maldivian to offer enhanced connectivity across the Maldives.

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

Stefano Bortoli, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Despite the current pandemic, operators are looking to the future, and this contract is a strong symbol of the resilience of the aviation sector. Our aircraft have proven their reliability by linking up the islands of many archipelagos for almost four decades; we welcome Maldivian as a new customer and we are proud to contribute sustainably to the modernization and expansion of the flag carrier of the Maldives,” he added.