Island Aviation Services, trading as Maldivian (Q2, Malé), has reissued a tender for the finance lease of two new ATR42-600s, having previously solicited proposals for the same aircraft in late 2025. It expects the cost of the leases to be USD16 million.

According to the new request for bids issued on February 2, 2026, the state-owned carrier is seeking a finance lease term of at least 15 years. Interested parties must submit proposals by February 12.

Maldivian expects to receive the first aircraft in August 2026 and the second in October 2027. The airline confirmed it had already executed sales and purchase agreements with ATR - Avions de Transport Régional for the aircraft, following a firm order placed at the 2024 Singapore Airshow.

The carrier stated that the new capacity is intended to support increased domestic fleet utilisation, driven by the development of additional airports across the atolls.

According to ch-aviation fleets data, Maldivian operates a fleet of 26 aircraft, comprising one A320-200, one A330-200, three ATR42-600s, two ATR72-600s, eleven DHC-6-300s, one DHC-8-200, one DHC-8-Q200, and six DHC-8-Q300s.