Maldives Doubles Down on 60-Year-Old Aircraft for Tourism Industry

The Maldives' $5 billion tourism industry relies heavily on an unlikely aircraft - the DHC-6 Twin Otter. This propeller plane, which has been operational for six decades, is a crucial part of the island nation's transportation infrastructure and a staple of its tourism economy.

Recently, Island Aviation Services (Maldivian) signed a letter of intent with De Havilland Canada to acquire two new-generation DHC-6 Twin Otter Classic 300-G aircraft. These planes will be the first Twin Ottters in the 300-G series and are expected to improve the country's tourism industry.

The current Trans Maldivian Airways fleet includes 66 Twin Otters, making it the world's largest seaplane operation. However, the average age of these planes is around 48 years old, with some even approaching 60 years old.