Maldivian has ordered two ATR 72-600s and one ATR 42-600 to replace their aging turboprop fleet. The aircraft will be equipped with the new PW127X2 engines, offering improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and reduced maintenance costs.
On Tuesday (January 18, 2022), ATR announced that Island Aviation Services Ltd. (Maldivian), the national carrier of the Maldives, has ordered two ATR 72-600s and one ATR 42-600. The aircraft will be equipped with the new PW127XT engines, which can run on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and offer a three percent reduction in fuel consumption, lower emissions and a 20 percent reduction in maintenance costs. The order is the first ATR purchase by Maldivian, and all three of the aircraft will be delivered in 2022, as the carrier replaces their aging turboprop fleet. The ATR 72-600 consumes around 40 percent less fuel than similarly sized regional jets.
In Tuesday’s announcement, Maldivian’s Managing Director, Mohamed Mihad, said,
“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.”
Also commenting on the new aircraft order, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, Stefano Bortoli, said,
“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 modernisation and expansion of the flag carrier of the Maldives.”
Established in 2000, Maldivian is the national airline of the Maldives. The carrier currently operates inter-island and international flights from their main base at Velana International Airport (MLE). Maldivian’s fleet includes one Airbus A320, one Airbus A321, two De Havilland Canada Dash 8-200s, eight Dash 8-300s and 11 DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft.
Celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2021, ATR has reached major milestones including 1,800 aircraft orders and 1,600 deliveries. ATR sees strong potential for growth in regional aviation, including a replacement wave of over 900 turboprops in the 30-50 seat categories. The company’s turboprop aircraft represent the optimal and most sustainable choice for regional deployment at the lowest operating costs, and offer the ability to serve isolated communities living near challenging airfields. Over the last decade, ATR has held 75 percent of the turboprop market and 36 percent of the overall regional aircraft market.
Source: ATR