President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has decided to introduce safe helicopter flight services in the Maldives. The President made this decision following the Cabinet’s deliberations on a paper submitted by the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation.

The President has decided to mandate ‘Medivac’ and ‘Search and Rescue’ services, utilising twin-engine helicopters to initiate helicopter operations. Per this decision, public transportation via heliport, excluding these services, would require a permit.

President Dr Muizzu also initiated measures to accommodate a heliport at the Velana International Airport and measures to establish a heliport in another location if required. He also resolved to revamp the structural framework of the Civil Aviation Authority, incorporating provisions and compensation to incentivise technically qualified individuals from the industry and ensure their sustainability in the sector.