Helicopter service provider to be contracted in August

Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen has announced that an agreement to introduce helicopter services in the Maldives is expected to be signed next month.

Speaking in an interview with state media PSM, Minister Ameen highlighted the need to modernize the country’s transportation framework. He noted that operational restrictions preventing seaplanes from conducting flights at night have created a need for alternative arrangements to support tourist transfers and other essential services during nighttime hours and under varying weather conditions.

"As part of these efforts, the work on the second RFP (Request for Proposals) is currently underway," Minister Ameen stated.

The Minister further revealed that the evaluation of proposals submitted by interested parties has been completed, with the process now at the final stage of agreement negotiations. He added that following the signing of the agreement next month, the selected operator will begin obtaining an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in accordance with Maldivian civil aviation regulations.

Beyond tourist transfers, the planned helicopter services will also support search and rescue (SAR) operations and medical evacuation services.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has issued requests for proposals for the service on three separate occasions. The latest deadline for submissions was extended from March 23 to April 20 of this year.

While the Ministry had previously stated that helicopter operations would begin in March, and several projected timelines have been announced over the past two years, the service has yet to officially commence.