Commercial helicopter operations to start in Maldives

Minister of Tourism, Moosa Zameer has announced the government has made the decision to grant permission for commercial helicopter operations in Maldives.

Minister Zameer made the announcement during the function held by Civil Aviation Authority in Dharubaarge on Wednesday night to celebrate International Civil Aviation Day.

Zameer said that authorities were in the process of reforming aviation regulation to allow for different types of aviation to develop the economy of the country, especially the tourism sector.

He said that authorities would soon permit for commercial helicopter operations.

“Assuming everything goes according to plan, we will provide the opportunity for helicopter operations in Maldives very soon. The government has been receiving very attractive proposals,” said Zameer.

Helicopter operations were started, and then discontinued in Maldives over a myriad of issues. Helicopters are now used only by the military.

Zameer said the authorities would grant permission for commercial helicopter operations in Maldives once more, based analysis of the past experience.

“We will run independent research to analyze the security aspects of this before we give the air operation certificate. This will be carried out in accordance with international best practice and principles of safety management systems,” said Minister Zameer.

Zameer expressed confidence businesses granted permission for commercial helicopter operations will follow the same standard of safety measures used by the military.

“We can make the state of things better before starting commercial operations by garnering the highest standard of safety approvals,” he said.

Minister Zameer said that difficult though the task may be, it was being carried out under the directive of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.