Manta Air pilots also demand pay in USD

Manta Air pilots and other crew have met with the airline's management and begun discussions on their request to receive full pay in USD.

A Manta Air pilot said that a decision was made two months ago to issue 50 percent of their pay in MVR and the change had been brought into effect. Now, pilots, crew and engineers are appealing for this decision to be reversed. The management is yet to make a decision, he said.

Manta Air began paying 50 percent of salaries in MVR following the new laws coming into effect which mandate businesses receiving tourism revenue to exchange a specified amount of foreign currency income in Maldivian banks.

A statement issued by Manta Air today stated that when the Foreign Currency Act first came into effect, the airline had first attempted to cover other services through the exchanged funds.

The airline is conducting business transactions with SOEs MACL and Maldivian. Manta Air said that these companies had refused to accept payments in MVR for jet fuel, spare parts and other operational services. Hence, payments for these services have to be made in USD. Manta Air said that they had made the decision to issue 50 percent of salaries in MVR due to being unable to reach the desired outcome in discussions with the SOEs.

Manta Air, whose CEO is this administration's Advisor to the President on Tourism Development, said that the airline is in discussions with MMA to seek concessions due to challenges faced with the new Foreign Currency Act. They stated that salaries can be issued entirely in USD only if and when MMA agrees to allow concessions.

Staff have shared their discontent with this decision with Manta Air management previously as well. Manta Air employs over 600 staff, including pilots, crew and engineers.

A Manta Air pilot expressed their concerns to Mihaaru News, stating that they wanted full pay in USD as was previously given.

Recently, pilots of TMA also declared that they would cease flights if their full pay in USD was not reinstated. In response, TMA has reversed their earlier decision to pay 20 percent of salaries in MVR.