Govt extends deadline for proposals for long-delayed helicopter service

The Transport Ministry has offered an additional extension on proposals to launch a helicopter service in the Maldives.

In August 2024, the Transport Ministry invited bids from parties interested in providing commercial helicopter services in the Maldives. And in a TV interview in November, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen said the service would launch by March 2025.

It is now a year past this deadline.

The ministry has issued invitations to submit proposals three times, the latest of which had been set to expire this Wednesday.

But the ministry has now extended the deadline to 02:00 pm April 20.

The ministry said it decided to extend the deadline because following requests from many interested companies and organizations, who are facing operational and logistical challenges due to the war in the Middle East, making it difficult for them to submit complete proposals by the previous deadline.

The ministry is seeking parties to submit proposals for establishing and operating helicopter services, with a primary focus on providing efficient commercial passenger transportation for tourists, emergency medical evacuation and search and rescue operations across the country.

The ministry will be entering an exclusive 10-year agreement with the winning bidder, granting them sole rights to conduct commercial helicopter passenger operations in the Maldives.

As part of this arrangement, the operator will also be required to support government requirements for emergency medical services and search and rescue operations.

Another key initiative announced by the Transport Ministry, a state-run taxi line, is also long past its original commencement deadline.