Helicopter services will commence in March: Minister Ameen

Helicopter services in the Maldives will begin in March 2025, said Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) were opened last August for the expansion of the National Emergency Service and the provision of helicopter services for tourism purposes.

Transport Ministry said that 36 foreign parties expressed interest in providing the services in Maldives.

Speaking on the "Hafthaa 52" programme on the occasion to mark one year since the current administration assuming power, Ameen assured that helicopter services will begin in the country in compliance with all Civil Aviation Authority regulations.

The minister said that they will be signing with a helicopter service provider within the next two weeks.

Noting that there were many tragic incidents when helicopters were operating in Maldives 22 years ago, Ameen said there was a fear of flying helicopters in the country. However, the analysis was conducted with the recommendations by the United Kingdom's CA, he said.

"This change is brought with the UK's CA recommendation, [and] the most compatible helicopters to be operated in Maldives will only be operated here. We have opened to commence [services of] helicopters with a specific type, size and safety measures as decided by the regulator," the minister said.

The helicopter service will also solve the difficulties in transporting patients from one island to another or to Malé as well as transporting tourists at night, he said.

As helicopter services are set to commence in March, a dash 8 and a seaplane were also made operational as air ambulances this year.

Additionally, the Indian donated Dornier aircraft and two helicopters are also operational with Indian civilian crew instead of the country's military personnel as it was previously.