Maldivian Seeking To Dry Lease One Airbus A321LR

As the national airline Maldivian’s existing Airbus A321 is set to leave following the end of the lease agreement in 2023; Maldivian is seeking to dry lease another A321.

Maldivian is seeking to dry lease an Airbus A321LR (Long Range) for a period of 8 years as the carrier is planning to introduce non-stop long-haul routes to its current international network.

Prior to the pandemic Maldivian operated regular scheduled flights to Bangladesh, Thailand and China with the the Airbus A320 and the A321.

The carrier planing a delivery timeline for quarters 1-2 in 2023.

Airbus A321LR (Long Range).

In January 2015 Airbus introduced the long range Airbus A321 fitted with three auxiliary fuel tanks with a maximum takeoff of the weight of 97 t (214,000 lb).

The A321LR  has a range of 4,000 nmi (7,400 km) with 206 seats in two classes.

In comparison, the Airbus A321 has a maximum takeoff weight of 93.5 t (206,000 lb) with a typical range of 3,200 nmi (5,930 km).

Airbus is also developing the Airbus A321XLR with increased fuel capacity and strengthened landing gear which would allow for a 700 nmi (1,300 km) more range than the current A321LR.