The government has reopened proposals for the operation of helicopter services in the Maldives, introducing revised terms and concessions aimed at addressing concerns raised by potential operators.
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation had initially invited bids for helicopter services earlier, but the process was paused after stakeholders expressed reservations about the original requirements. In August, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen announced that the terms would be reviewed, paving the way for a renewed call for proposals under updated conditions.
Under the revised framework, helicopter services will be operated on a commercial basis, while also playing a key role in emergency medical evacuations and search-and-rescue operations. Selected operators will be required to provide up to 50 hours of free medical evacuation services per month during the first three years of operation. Search-and-rescue missions, however, will be funded by the government, according to the ministry.
The licences granted to successful bidders will be valid for up to 10 years, with applicants required to demonstrate a minimum of five years’ operational experience. Operators will also be required to partner with a local aviation company, a condition aimed at strengthening domestic capacity within the aviation sector.
The ministry has set March 25 as the deadline for proposal submissions. Contracts are expected to be finalised by mid-June, with operators required to begin providing helicopter services no later than November 1, 2027.
Officials say the revised terms are intended to strike a balance between commercial viability and public service obligations, while expanding aviation services and emergency response capabilities across the country.
