The government will soon require that all airline sales agency roles be reserved exclusively for companies fully owned by Maldivian nationals, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has announced.
The regulation, expected to be gazetted shortly, will mandate that only wholly Maldivian-owned entities may act as sales representatives for airlines operating in the country. The measure will apply to General Sales Agents (GSAs), Passenger Sales Agents (PSAs), and Cargo Sales Agents (CSAs), restructuring how international carriers market and manage their services in the Maldives.
The minister said the initiative was being carried out under the direct guidance of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. “Under President Dr. @MMuizzu [Mohamed Muizzu]’s directive, only 100% Maldivian-owned companies will be permitted to operate as GSAs, PSAs, or CSAs — a long-awaited reform to empower and strengthen local enterprises,” he wrote. The policy is regarded as the fulfilment of a longstanding expectation among domestic firms already active in the aviation sector.
The government has presented the reform as a way to ensure that the financial benefits of the aviation industry remain within the domestic economy. Minister Ameen said that the business and economic advantages derived from air transport sales must accrue directly to Maldivian enterprises, thereby strengthening the national economy. By limiting intermediary roles to local firms, officials expect local businesses to expand their operations and consolidate their role in the sector.
The localisation of sales agencies is also part of a broader strategy to advance the country’s air transport industry. Central to this effort is the modernisation and expansion of aviation infrastructure nationwide.
At Velana International Airport, a new terminal built to international standards has recently been completed. Designed to accommodate up to seven million passengers annually, the facility significantly increases the nation’s capacity to manage rising air traffic.
The government is also investing in the national airline, Maldivian. The carrier introduced a new wide-body aircraft into its fleet this year and is pursuing the acquisition of additional wide-body jets to expand its long-haul services.
Beyond the capital’s main hub, new airports are under construction in several regions, and existing facilities are being modernised. Officials maintain that these projects are being carried out with the integration of the most advanced resources and amenities available.