Island Aviation Services signs deal for two new Twin Otter aircraft with De Havilland Canada

Island Aviation Services Limited, which operates as Maldivian, has signed an agreement to buy two new De Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft. The company signed the deal with De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited. The aircraft will support Maldivians' seaplane and wheel-based operations.

Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Limited, signed the agreement on behalf of the airline. Yogesh Garg, Regional Vice President, Sales, Asia Pacific and Middle East, at De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited, signed on behalf of the manufacturer.

Maldivian said the deal marks its first order for the newest generation Twin Otter Classic 300-G. It is also the first time the airline has expanded its Twin Otter fleet since 2018, according to Iyas.

The seaplane fleet grew from two aircraft to eleven

Maldivian Seaplane began operations in 2014 with two Twin Otter aircraft. The fleet has since grown to 11 Twin Otters, Iyas said.

"Today marks a major milestone in our fleet modernisation journey as we sign the agreement for two new Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft," Iyas said. "From beginning our seaplane operations with just two Twin Otters in 2014 to operating a fleet of 11 today, we have continued to grow and evolve."

He said the new aircraft will strengthen both seaplane and wheel-based operations. He also pointed to the airline's long partnership with De Havilland Canada.

Iyas said the aircraft are designed for the Maldivian environment. He said the airline will not need to make the modifications it previously required for earlier Twin Otter models.

First Twin Otter wheel-based scheduled flights this year

Maldivian began scheduled commercial flights using wheel-based Twin Otter aircraft on February 1, 2026, according to Iyas. He said this made the airline the first in the Maldives to offer this service.

Garg said the Twin Otter has changed lives in the Maldives. He said Maldivian Seaplane plays an important role in the country's tourism industry.

"Maldivian Seaplane plays a vital role in supporting Maldives tourism and is an exceptional example of how a small aircraft can make a significant impact on a nation's economy," Garg said. "We look forward to strengthening this partnership as Maldivian embarks on the next chapter of its fleet journey."

Garg said the Classic 300-G was designed with input from Maldivian pilots and engineers. De Havilland Canada said the aircraft has modern avionics and is easier to maintain than earlier models. The company said a lighter airframe allows the aircraft to carry more passengers and baggage, which could lower operating costs.

Maldives called world's largest Twin Otter market

De Havilland Canada described the Maldives as the world's largest market for Twin Otter operations. The company said more than 1,000 Twin Otter aircraft have been built worldwide. It said the fleet has logged well over one million flight hours globally, from Arctic regions to tropical islands.

The Twin Otter has served as a key link for Maldives tourism for more than a decade. The aircraft carries visitors from Velana International Airport to resorts and inhabited islands across the archipelago.