Maldivian Seeks to Lease Two Airbus A220-300s as Successor to Its A320

Island Aviation Services, which operates the national airline Maldivian, has invited proposals to lease up to two Airbus A220-300 jets to succeed the Airbus A320 that has served its regional routes since 2012.

The state-owned company issued the request on 11 October in a notice that was also published in the Government Gazette. Proposals are due by 23:59 Maldives time on 28 October.

The 33-page request for proposals says the company “has selected the Airbus A220 as the successor to the A320” as part of its fleet modernisation strategy.

Delivery from Late 2027

Island Aviation’s preferred schedule is for the first aircraft to arrive in the fourth quarter of 2027 and the second in the first quarter of 2028. It is seeking an operating lease of six to 12 years. Bidders may offer one aircraft or two.

Aircraft owners, operators, lessors, commercial banks and financial institutions are eligible to bid. Proposals from brokers or intermediaries will not be accepted.

The aircraft will be based at Velana International Airport. The document says locations close to Velana will be preferred for delivery and return of the jets.

Business Class and Internet

The preferred cabin has two classes, with eight business-class seats and 130 economy seats. The company also wants an in-flight entertainment system with internet connectivity, a maximum take-off weight of at least 69 tonnes and approval for 180-minute ETOPS operations, the rule that sets how far a twin-engined jet may fly from a suitable diversion airport.

Maldivian’s November 2025 release on its south Indian routes said its A320 has 152 seats: 14 in premium economy and 138 in economy.

The tender specifies Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines with a straight-wall combustor and a high-pressure turbine durability package. That engine requirement carries 70 of the 250 points in the technical evaluation, more than any other item.

New or Used

The technical scoring gives the highest marks to new aircraft for age, flight hours and flight cycles. Island Aviation has reserved the right to decide after the evaluation whether to take new or used jets, and whether to take one or two.

The financial comparison will rank offers by the net present value of their cash flows over the lease term, assuming each aircraft flies 2,600 hours a year.

Approvals Still Required

Questions from bidders are due by 14:00 on 15 October, and answers will be issued by 19 October. The company expects to finish its evaluation by 5 November and then notify the three lessors with the most advantageous offers.

A letter of intent with the selected lessor and the final lease agreement each require approval from Island Aviation’s board. The document states that selection does not create a binding contract until a lease is signed.

The lease will also need approval from the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority and other government authorities. Lessors must meet the authority’s requirements and those of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency before delivery.

Current Fleet

According to the tender, Maldivian serves more than 18 domestic airports with two ATR 72-600s, three ATR 42-600s and seven DHC-8-300 and DHC-8-200 turboprops. Its DHC-6-300 seaplanes mainly serve resorts. The A320 flies to India and Bangladesh, while long-haul services use Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

On 9 November 2025, the A320 carried President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to the inauguration of the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo International Airport. The President’s Office said it was the largest aircraft ever to land there.

Then-President Dr Mohamed Waheed inaugurated Island Aviation’s A320 flights on 14 November 2012, saying they would strengthen ties with neighbouring countries.