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

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

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UPS has formally withdrawn its remaining McDonnell Douglas MD‑11 freighters from service, marking the end of the carrier’s operations with the tri‑jet type.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

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 Challenger 650 business jet crashed during takeoff at Bangor International Airport on Sunday evening, killing seven of the eight people on board and leaving one survivor in critical condition. The aircraft overturned on the runway after attempting departure in severe winter weather, prompting an immediate shutdown of all airport operations. Takeoff in a Winter Storm The jet had been preparing for departure amid heavy snowfall, low visibility, and rapidly deteriorating runw

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

The national accident‑investigation function has been formally transitioned from the Accident Investigation Coordination Committee (AICC) to the newly established Maldives Transportation Safety Board (MTSB), marking a major step toward strengthening aviation and transport safety oversight in line with international standards. According to an official notice issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, all responsibilities previously held by the AICC have now been transferred to th

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

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

Airbus closed 2025 with strong commercial performance, reporting 793 aircraft deliveries, a 4% year‑on‑year increase, and securing 1,000 gross orders from 57 customers. The results underscore sustained global demand for Airbus’ single‑aisle and widebody product lines despite a challenging operating environment. The European manufacturer delivered aircraft to 91 customers worldwide, maintaining its upward trajectory for the third consecutive year. Deliveries by family type wer

The global aviation industry is poised for another year of steady growth in 2026, with passenger numbers expected to reach 5.2 billion, a 4.4% increase over 2025, according to the latest outlook from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Air cargo volumes are also projected to rise, reaching 71.6 million tonnes, up 2.4% year‑on‑year, as the sector continues to demonstrate resilience amid shifting global trade patterns. IATA expects airlines to deliver a 3.9% net

The global aviation industry is poised for another year of steady growth in 2026, with passenger numbers expected to reach 5.2 billion, a 4.4% increase over 2025, according to the latest outlook from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Air cargo volumes are also projected to rise, reaching 71.6 million tonnes, up 2.4% year‑on‑year, as the sector continues to demonstrate resilience amid shifting global trade patterns. IATA expects airlines to deliver a 3.9% net

Several major international airlines have suspended or cancelled flights to Iran as nationwide protests intensify, prompting heightened concerns over airspace safety and operational reliability. The disruptions began late in the week as demonstrations spread across major cities, accompanied by communication blackouts and increased security restrictions around key transport hubs. Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, Pegasus and Austrian Airlines were among the

A man was taken into custody early Thursday after a stolen Cessna 172 crashed into a hangar at Van Nuys Airport, causing significant damage but no reported injuries, according to Los Angeles Airport Police. The incident occurred shortly before 5 am, when the suspect identified as 37‑year‑old Ceffareno Michael Logan allegedly trespassed onto airport property and gained access to an aircraft belonging to a local flight school. Authorities said Logan managed to start the engine