The government has reopened the opportunity for companies to provide helicopter services in the Maldives, with revised rules and concessions.
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation had earlier invited proposals to provide helicopter services in the Maldives. However, earlier in August, the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen said changes have been made to the terms after concerns from interested parties over the original conditions. The call for proposals has since been reopened.
The service will be operated on a commercial basis, but operators must also provide emergency and search-and-rescue services under government regulations. Selected operators must provide up to 50 hours of free medical emergency evacuations per month for the first three years of operation, while search-and-rescue operations will be funded by the government.
Licences will be granted to operators for up to 10 years, with applicants required to have at least five years’ experience. Operators are also required to operate in partnership with a local aviation company.
While proposals must be submitted by 25 March, contracts will be signed by mid-June, and services must commence by 1 November, 2027.