Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has stated that the helicopter flight services to be launched in the Maldives will use the highest safety standards. He made the remark while providing information on the government's initiative to re-introduce helicopter flight services.
Helicopter flight services began in the Maldives in the early 1990s. The helicopter, which was operating under the name of Hummingbird, was discontinued in 1999 following tragic incidents.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to re-introduce safe helicopter flight services in the Maldives. He made the decision following the Cabinet's deliberations on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.
The President's Office stated that President Muizzu decided to mandate Medivac and Search and Rescue services, utilising twin-engine helicopters to initiate helicopter operations. The service will be provided through a competitive tender.
President Muizzu has initiated measures to accommodate a heliport at the Velana International Airport (VIA) and measures to establish a heliport in another location if required. The President resolved to revamp the structural framework of the Civil Aviation Authority, incorporating provisions and compensation to incentivise technically qualified individuals from the industry and ensure their sustainability in the sector.
Speaking to PSM News regarding the initiative, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen said that citizens want airports to be developed in all regions to facilitate transportation as well as emergency flights. Therefore, he said the introduction of helicopter services will address their concerns.
Additionally, Minister Ameen said that the pilots flying the helicopters in the past did not have an air operator certificate and that the Civil Aviation Authority lacked any authority in this regard. However, he noted that the situation has drastically changed since then, and that the government will prioritise safety when re-introducing the services by using the safest twin-engine helicopter. He also said that the UKCA has conducted an extensive study on helicopter operations in the Maldives at the request of the government. He added that all the recommendations made in the study will be mandated when giving permission to begin operations.
Furthermore, Minister Ameen noted that the services could be introduced under the Civil Aviation Act but that the laws are currently not up to date given the pace at which the aviation industry has grown. growing. Therefore, he said the government has drafted amendments with the help of experts from the European Union and sent them to the Attorney General’s Office.