Manta Air (NR, Malé) will take delivery of its first of two ATR72-600s on lease from Nordic Aviation Capital in November. According to the Danish lessor, the second ATR - Avions de Transport Régional turboprop will arrive before year-end.
Once certified, the Maldivian start-up carrier plans to use the aircraft to operate inter-island flights connecting the main Malé Velana International Airport, to Kudahuvadhoo in Dhaalu atoll, Dharavandhoo Island in Baa atoll, and Thimarafushi in Thaa atoll.
According to job adverts flighted by the firm, it is also looking to induct DHC-6s for island-hopping flights.
Manta Air is backed by Reollo Investments, which also operates the Kandima Maldives resort as well as Dhaalu Airport. Reollo is itself led by Sanjay Ibrahim Maniku, son of local conglomerate Universal Enterprise’s shareholder Dr Ibrahim Maniku.
