US$1.5 million aircraft to be brought next month: IA

MALE, July 26 (HNS) -- Island Aviation (IA) said Thursday additional aircraft for domestic air travel that costs US$1.5 million will be brought to Maldives in the middle of next month. Bandhu Ibrahim Saleem, the Managing Director of the company, said the aircraft, which is brought from French island Guvaad Lupnun located in the Caribbean Sea, is similar to the current Dornier aircraft that is at the moment in operation. The company said when the new aircraft is brought in, the company will gain many benefits, and transporting patients from islands will also be eased. "Patients cannot be transported in stretchers by Dash-8 aircraft due to its design. Dornier aircraft is designed in a way which allows carrying of patients on stretchers," IA said. IA said although the company faces difficulty transporting patients, once the new aircraft is brought in, such problems will be solved and the service can be provided well.