Immigration instructs consultation on plans involving the authority

Maldives Immigration has instructed all relevant companies and agencies to consult the authority in making plans or decisions related to immigration and emigration.

The instruction came on Wednesday after Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) asked SriLankan Airline to keep a hold on its plans to launch direct scheduled flight operations between Gan, Addu City and Colombo, Sri Lanka on December 1, until the needed system upgrade on Gan International Airport was complete.

Maldives Immigration issued a statement in which it said that it met with officials from CAA and Addu International Airport Company (AIA) on two occasions after hearing about the planned scheduled flights between Gan and Colombo over the media.

Immigration said both the companies had informed the authority that no license was issued to any airline for scheduled flight operations in Gan. And that what SriLankan Airline was doing was part of a marketing campaign.

Maldives Immigration noted that providing approval immigrating into the country and emigrating out of the country fell under the authority’s jurisdiction.

It instructed that Maldives Immigration be given prior notice and consulted with when making plans involving immigration or emigration.

“We reassure everyone that Maldives Immigration always prioritizes the people of the country and the national security of the country above all in doing our work,” read the statement.

General Manager of Addu International Airport Company (AIA), Ibthishama Ahmed Saeed reported to “Sun” that no official date for SriLankan to start scheduled flight operations between Gan and Colombo had been decided during negotiations between both parties.

“Though its ok for chartered international flights to operate, there are major things that need to be done before scheduled flights can start,” said Ibthishama, indicating upgrade needed on

“Border Control for Expatriate Workers and Locals Automated System.”

“The completion of immigration system and such – an official date for when the airport will be opened will be announced depending on the progress of that work,” she said.