Island Aviation Services Ltd (IASL), the operator of the national carrier Maldivian, has issued a new call for proposals to finance‑lease two new ATR 42‑600 aircraft. The announcement marks a renewed effort to secure long‑term financing after an earlier tender for the same aircraft was released in late 2025. According to the new Request for Proposal (RFP) published on 2 February 2026, IASL is seeking a finance lease arrangement with a minimum term of fifteen years. The re‑ten

AirBorneo and ATR have announced a strategic partnership to renew and modernise Malaysia’s Rural Air Services (RAS) fleet, with the airline confirming a firm order for eight new ATR aircraft. The agreement includes five ATR 72‑600s and three ATR 42‑600s, along with purchase rights for four additional aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2029. The order represents a key step in AirBorneo’s transition into Sarawak’s state‑owned carrier and its assum

The Maldives recorded 10,253 tourist arrivals on 1 February 2026, setting a new single‑day record for the country’s tourism sector. The figure surpasses the previous high of 10,213 arrivals registered on 10 February 2024, according to official data. The new record follows a strong start to the year, coming just days after the Maldives posted its highest‑ever January arrival total. Tourism authorities say the latest numbers indicate that demand has remained consistently high i

Authorities in Spain are investigating an incident at Valencia Airport after a Moroccan man gained access to the airside area and climbed onto the roof of a Vueling Airbus A320 on Saturday. The individual reportedly reached the aircraft by using the passenger stairs positioned at the forward door before making his way onto the top of the fuselage. Airport security and members of the Civil Guard responded immediately. According to officials, three civil guards engaged with the

The Maldives has started 2026 with a new monthly tourism record, registering 224,788 arrivals in January and surpassing the previous high of 224,455 recorded in December 2025. The updated figure continues the strong performance seen at the end of last year and gives the industry a steady start to the new season. According to official data, the January total reflects continued momentum from the final quarter of 2025, when visitor numbers consistently trended upward across key

Maldivian has launched a new wheel‑based Twin Otter operation in the southern atolls, connecting Gan with Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhdhoo, and Kooddoo. The airline is positioning the service as a major step toward strengthening regional mobility a long‑standing ambition for the south. The move marks the first time Maldivian has deployed wheel-based Twin Otters for scheduled domestic airport‑to‑airport flights. While the new operation brings renewed optimism, it enters a region where

Saudi Arabia has formally informed Iran that it will not permit its airspace or territory to be used for any military action against the Islamic Republic, a position that significantly limits the operational options available to the United States amid heightened regional tensions. According to sources cited by AFP, Riyadh delivered the message directly to Tehran, clarifying that the Kingdom will neither participate in nor facilitate any strike targeting Iran. The communicatio

Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, marks an important milestone as it celebrates 18 years since launching flights to Trivandrum, India. The airline first commenced operations to the South Indian city on 25 January 2008, establishing one of its earliest and most enduring international routes. Over nearly two decades, the Trivandrum sector has played a key role in connecting Maldivian travelers with Kerala’s capital, an important hub for medical travel, education,

UPS has formally withdrawn its remaining McDonnell Douglas MD‑11 freighters from service, marking the end of the carrier’s operations with the tri‑jet type. The move follows a fatal accident in November and the subsequent grounding of the entire MD‑11 fleet. The retirement was confirmed in UPS’s fourth‑quarter 2025 earnings release, published on January 27. In the filing, the company disclosed a non‑cash, after‑tax charge associated with the accelerated phase‑out of the MD‑11

The United Arab Emirates has reiterated its longstanding policy of preventing its airspace, territory, and territorial waters from being used for any hostile military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The statement, issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on 26 January 2026, underscores the country’s continued emphasis on diplomacy, de‑escalation, and respect for state sovereignty. Clear Position Against Participation in Hostile Acts In its announcemen

GE Aerospace has completed a major hybrid‑electric propulsion milestone, successfully demonstrating power transfer, extraction, and injection on a high‑bypass commercial turbofan engine, a step the company says brings hybrid‑electric flight closer to commercial reality. The achievement was announced following 2025 ground tests of a modified Passport engine at GE’s Peebles Test Operation in Ohio. The work was conducted under NASA’s Turbofan Engine Power Extraction Demonstratio

A new cluster of Nipah virus infections in India has prompted several Asian aviation authorities to activate enhanced screening protocols at major international airports. Although the outbreak remains limited, the virus’s high fatality rate has led to swift action to safeguard cross‑border travel and maintain operational stability across the region. Airports Increase Screening for India‑Arriving Flights Following confirmed cases in West Bengal, airports in Thailand, Nepal, an

Velana International Airport (VIA) recorded a strong year in 2025, handling 8.28 million passengers, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. The growth reflects continued demand across international, domestic, and seaplane operations, supported by rising tourist arrivals and improved inter‑island connectivity. Of the total passenger volume, 5.38 million were international travellers, underscoring VIA’s role as the Maldives’ primary gateway. Domestic traffic reached 1.17

Maldivian will introduce new DHC‑6 Twin Otter wheel‑based flights in the southern region this February, expanding short‑sector connectivity between Gan, Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhdhoo, and Kooddoo. The new operation is expected to enhance connectivity across the southern atolls by offering faster, more direct links between Gan, Fuvahmulah, Kaadedhdhoo, and Kooddoo. The service is anticipated to ease travel for local communities while also supporting regional tourism by providing a q

Maldivian will host a public music carnival in Hulhumale’ on 6th February as part of its lead‑up to the airline’s resumption of flights to Dhaka, Bangladesh. The “Dhaka, We Heard You” Music Carnival will be held at the Hulhumale’ Synthetic Track from 20:00 to 23:00, featuring live performances, music, and entertainment. The carnival comes as Maldivian prepares to restart its Dhaka service on 12 March, restoring an important route for travellers and for the large Bangladeshi p

The United States has ordered the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN‑72) and its strike group to accelerate their transit from the Pacific toward the Middle East, according to reports citing Pentagon officials and regional media, including Al Jazeera. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin directed the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to reach the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility more quickly, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS Theo

Iran has reopened its airspace after a temporary five‑hour closure that prompted several airlines to reroute, delay, or cancel flights across the region. The restrictions, issued late Wednesday, barred most overflights and inbound traffic except for international flights to and from Iran with prior approval. The NOTAM was removed shortly before 10 pm local time, and flight‑tracking data showed the first aircraft  including services from Mahan Air, Yazd Airways, and AVA Airlin

A Jet Excellence Cessna 750 Citation X, registered N772XJ, veered off the runway at Telluride Regional Airport in Colorado on Tuesday, sustaining significant damage. All three occupants on board escaped without injury. The incident occurred shortly after the aircraft touched down. According to information provided to deputies, the pilot reported that a strong, gusting crosswind struck the aircraft during the landing roll, pushing it off the runway surface. The Citation X repo

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is one of the strongest and most profitable state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the Maldives. Its financial performance, anchored by the operation of Velana International Airport has consistently placed it at the top among SOEs. However, over the course of 2025, MACL embarked on an unusually broad and intensive investment programme aligned with government development priorities. The scale, speed, and diversity of these commitments repres

Afcom Cargo airline celebrates one full year of operations to Velana International Airport (VIA). The anniversary highlights the carrier’s growing contribution to the Maldives’ cargo sector and its role in strengthening regional supply chains. Since launching services to VIA in early 2024, Afcom Cargo has completed 200 dedicated cargo flights, providing consistent uplift for importers, exporters, and logistics partners across the Maldives. Over the past 12 months, the airline