Propelling you in to life!

Manta Air currently has three brand-new ATR 72-600 series aircraft. PHOTO : MAHUDHEE

Tourists come from all over the globe to admire the Maldives. The incredible colour of the sea, beautiful coral and amazing marine life mean it is considered to be one of the most amazing, idyllic countries in the world. This outstanding natural heritage attracts over a million visitors yearly, so unsurprisingly, tourism is a key economic resource for the country, accounting for a significant percentage of its GDP and employment.

And turboprop aircraft play an essential role in connecting communities throughout the Maldives and boosting the local economy.

And it’s not just here! One third of the world’s roughly 3,800 commercial airports rely exclusively on turboprops – showing just how vital these smaller regional aircraft are for travellers and businesses. ATR aircraft serve over 1,300 airports every year, with over 200 operators in 100 countries, opening over 100 new routes on average, every year – so whether you’re travelling for important business, the perfect honeymoon or just getting back to your roots to connect with family – it is often propellers that are going to get you where you want to go.

Why are propellers so perfect for flying between islands?

To explain this, first you need to know what a turboprop is – simply put, it’s a type of engine.

You have probably flown on jets before. A jet engine sucks air into the front of the engine using a fan. From there, the engine compresses the air, mixes it with fuel and ignites the mixture. The resulting force rotates a shaft, which in turn drives the fan, creating thrust. A turboprop engine works the same way! Instead of driving a fan, the created force drives the propeller, accelerating the flow of air to generate the thrust that makes the aircraft move forward. The only difference? On a jet, the fan is inside the engine, whereas a turboprop proudly displays its propellers before your very eyes!

The great thing about turboprops is that they accelerate the air using less power, at a lower altitude and a lower speed. This means that they can take off from (as well as land on) the shorter runways that you often find on islands, where space is at a premium and creating larger airports or lengthening runways would potentially involve damaging the beautiful surrounding environment.

Fly responsibly!

The other great thing about turboprop technology is its efficiency. For short flights, of up to an hour, ATRs burn 40 per cent less fuel and emit 40 per cent less CO2 than similarly sized regional jets. At a time when there is a global focus on reducing emissions to combat the effects of climate change, knowing that you are travelling as efficiently as possible can give you peace of mind – so you can simply focus on what is important – enjoying your time in the Maldives!

One of the consequences of global climate change is that islands all over the world are facing challenges from rising sea levels. With 80 per cent of the Maldives’ territory less than one metre above sea level, it is one of the states most exposed to global warming and directly threatened by rising water levels.

Thanks to their fuel efficiency, ATRs save 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions per aircraft per year, compared to jets. By flying responsibly, we can minimise our impact on the environment hopefully allowing future generations to enjoy the Maldives’ beautiful atolls for years to come.

Looking ahead…

Studies are already being made regarding the future of the regional aviation ecosystem – including the feasibility of a hybrid aircraft which could produce even less emissions. Though nothing is certain at the moment and the potential of these developments is only being discussed, what is sure is that with the pure efficiency of the propeller, turboprops and ATRs will be at the forefront of aviation, and taking you to beautiful places, for years to come.