Manta Air achieves D1 Rating, expands advanced maintenance capabilities

Manta Air, the fastest-growing airline in the Maldives, has announced a major milestone in its technical and operational advancement with the approval of its Maintenance Organisation for the D1 Rating by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA). This certification, granted, authorises Manta Air to perform specialised Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) services on aircraft structures and components—positioning the airline as one of the few operators in the nation with this high-level capability.

NDT is a critical aviation safety discipline used to identify hidden cracks, corrosion, and internal structural defects without damaging the component. The D1 rating officially classifies Manta Air’s NDT Workshop as a provider of Specialised Services, enabling the company not only to support its own fleet with greater autonomy but also to conduct NDT inspections for other airlines and aviation organisations in the Maldives.

Under its newly granted rating, Manta Air is approved to conduct three advanced NDT methods:

• Liquid Penetrant Inspection (PT)
• Eddy Current Testing (ET)
• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

These capabilities allow for precise detection of surface, sub-surface, and deep internal defects across both metallic and composite aircraft structures.

Manta Air’s dedicated NDT workshop—located at the airline’s MRO facility in Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo—features a temperature-controlled, well-ventilated environment with engineered lighting, specialised probe systems to ensure accuracy and repeatability.

Commenting on the achievement the Head of Engineering at Manta Air, Pablo Alves noted, “The D1 approval represents a strategic leap forward for our Engineering Division. By bringing specialised NDT services fully in-house, we gain independence, reduce outsourcing costs, and improve turnaround times for critical inspections. More importantly, this achievement complements our recent advancements across structural repairs, livery painting, EMMA checks, CPCP execution, and our expanded battery workshops. Together, these capabilities strengthen our ability to ensure fleet safety, reliability, and long-term operational excellence.”

Achieving the D1 rating unlocks significant value for Manta Air and the wider industry:

• New Opportunities: Ability to offer certified NDT services to operators.
• Operational Independence: No reliance on third-party approvals for structural inspections.
• Cost Efficiency: Reduced expenditure on external MRO service providers.
• Faster Turnaround: Immediate scheduling capability reduces aircraft downtime.

This certification is part of a broader, multi-year strategy to strengthen Manta Air’s engineering infrastructure. Recent expansions include upgraded structural workshops, enhanced livery and paint capabilities, optimised EMMA inspection workflows, reinforced CPCP programs, and improved SAFT Ni-Cad and Lead-Acid battery servicing facilities.

“This milestone is an important chapter in Manta Air’s journey of continuous growth and capability expansion. As the fastest-growing domestic and seaplane operator in the Maldives, we remain committed to investing in world-class engineering facilities and technical expertise at our MRO in Dhaalu Airport. The D1 approval not only enhances our service quality for our own operations, but also positions us to support resort partners, industry stakeholders, and fellow operators across the country. We will continue to elevate our standards, broaden our technical offerings, and build an engineering ecosystem that reflects Manta Air’s vision for excellence and national pride,” said Ahmed Maumoon, Deputy CEO of Manta Air.

With the D1 rating now achieved, Manta Air will continue to expand both its technical expertise and service offerings—further positioning the airline as a leading aviation engineering provider in the Maldives. Several additional capability enhancements are planned for 2026, aligned with the airline’s long-term vision of delivering world-class, reliable, and efficient maintenance services for its fleet and industry partners.