Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives operated by Island Aviation Services, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada to acquire two new DHC-6-300-G Twin Otter aircraft, marking the introduction of the latest-generation variant into the country’s fleet.
The agreement was announced at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, although details regarding the aircraft configuration and delivery schedule have not yet been revealed.
The DHC-6-300-G aircraft will be the first of its type to enter service in the Maldives. The Twin Otter has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s aviation network, providing reliable connectivity between Malé, resort islands, and remote atolls where short take-off and landing capabilities are essential.
Commenting on the agreement, Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services, said the Twin Otter has been instrumental in connecting communities across the Maldives for decades. He noted that the new-generation aircraft will enhance operational efficiency while offering modern technology and improved performance to support the airline’s growing domestic operations.
Maldivian currently operates a fleet of 11 DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft, serving scheduled routes across the archipelago. Its broader fleet also includes one Airbus A320-200, one Airbus A330-200, three ATR 42-600s, two ATR 72-600s, one De Havilland DHC-8-200, one DHC-8-Q200, and five DHC-8-Q300 aircraft, enabling the airline to serve both domestic and international destinations.
The planned addition of the two DHC-6-300-G Twin Otters is expected to further strengthen Maldivian’s regional network, improve inter-island connectivity, and support the increasing demand for reliable air transport across the Maldives.
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