The national airline, Maldivian, has today extended the deadline for the announcement to lease a second A330-200 aircraft.

Island Aviation Services (IAS), which operates Maldivian, announced on February 6 that they were looking to lease an Airbus A-330 aircraft for a period of five years. They also stated that they wanted to lease it on an operating lease basis.

The announcement stated that the aircraft should have economy and business class cabins, with at least 20 seats in business class. However, the announcement did not include a deadline for submitting proposals.

In an announcement made today, Maldivian said that the deadline for submitting proposals has been extended until 23:59 on Friday of next week.

Maldivian brought its first wide-body aircraft to the Maldives last January. The Airbus A-330 is a 260-seat aircraft. The aircraft, which includes business, premium economy, and economy class seats, can carry ten tons of cargo. The aircraft has started flights to three destinations in China.

Bringing wide-body aircraft to expand Maldivian Airlines' service is a presidential pledge of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The President has said that a second wide-body aircraft will be brought and service will begin in October this year. The President has also said that this aircraft will be dedicated to European destinations.