Island Aviation Services Limited, trading as Maldivian, has signed a letter of intent with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada for two DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft, agreed at the Farnborough Airshow. The deal will make Maldivian the first operator in the Maldives to bring the Twin Otter Classic 300-G into service, in a country long regarded as the world's largest Twin Otter operating market.

The airline has relied on the Twin Otter for decades as the backbone of inter-island transportation, linking Malé with resorts, communities and remote islands across the archipelago. The Classic 300-G brings modern avionics, enhanced passenger comfort and improved maintainability to that role, along with a significant weight reduction that creates additional capacity for passengers and cargo.

Ibrahim Iyas, managing director, Island Aviation Services Limited, says: “We are proud that we will be the first airline in the Maldives to introduce the Twin Otter Classic 300-G. The Twin Otter has been an integral part of aviation in the Maldives for decades, and this newest generation aircraft will allow us to continue providing the dependable service our passengers expect while benefiting from the aircraft's latest technological and operational enhancements.”

Ryan DeBrusk, vice president of sales, De Havilland Canada, adds: “As the largest Twin Otter market in the world, there is no better place to introduce the next generation of this legendary aircraft. We are proud that Island Aviation Services Limited will become the first operator in the country to bring the Twin Otter Classic 300-G into service.”

The Classic 300-G retains the STOL performance and operational flexibility that have underpinned the Twin Otter's role across the Maldives, alongside enhancements aimed at reducing operating costs. More than 1,000 Twin Otters have been produced worldwide, and the type remains the standard for inter-island transportation across the archipelago.