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Will lower domestic airfares and increase competition: Nahula

09 December 2018, MVT 14:49
Transport Minister Aishath Nahula addresses Friday's ceremony. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU
09 December 2018, MVT 14:49

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula, on Friday, guaranteed a reduction in the price of domestic airline tickets and increase competitiveness within the aviation industry. In a speech delivered on the International Civil Aviation Day, the Minister announced that an "open sky policy" would be implemented to achieve price cuts. According to the Transport Minister, increasing competition between domestic airlines would be the key to reducing airfare rates. Minister Nahula also revealed that amendments to the Civil Aviation Act would be proposed to the parliament in order to boost competitiveness and maximise the protection of passenger rights. While high domestic airfares have come under public criticism, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made a pre-election pledge to lower prices of airline tickets.

Transport Minister Aishath Nahula (3rd R) with Transport Ministry officials attend World Aviation Day ceremony. PHOTO: HUSSAIN WAHEED/MIHAARU

The Transport Minister also stated that increasing the affordability and accessibility of transportation services was a key priority of the government. Accordingly, Minister Nahula announced plans to make seaplane travel available to locals. The minister also spoke about the position of the aviation industry in Maldives, highlighting that it made up 10.3 percent of the GDP. Maldives compares well with other countries in scores assigned by the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) which is run by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

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