The Maldives’ national airline, Maldivian, has officially retired its DHC-8-300 Dash-8 aircraft after more than 14 years of active service. The aircraft, which played a vital role in the airline’s domestic network, has departed the fleet as part of a strategic modernization effort.

During its tenure with Maldivian, the aircraft completed over 29,000 flight hours and successfully performed more than 37,000 cycles. According to the airline, this specific Dash-8 was instrumental in connecting various island communities across the archipelago, ensuring essential mobility for citizens and tourists alike.

The retirement follows a public Request for Proposal (RFP) process, which resulted in the aircraft being returned to its original manufacturer, De Havilland Canada. This historic final journey takes the aircraft back to its birthplace exactly 26 years after it was first manufactured.

Maldivian has confirmed that the phased retirement of the Dash-8 series is a key component of its fleet renewal project. The airline is transitioning to the latest generation of ATR aircraft, which offer enhanced passenger comfort, improved fuel efficiency, and a more environmentally friendly footprint compared to their predecessors.