A total of 36 companies have expressed interest in providing helicopter services in the Maldives.
On August 5, the Transport Ministry invited expressions of interest (EOI) from those interested in operating helicopter flights for emergency and tourism industries. This includes transporting tourists and providing helicopter air ambulance services for patient transport and search and rescue operations.
While the deadline for submissions expired on August 19, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen told state media that 36 companies expressed interest in providing helicopter services.
"The world's most reputable companies applied. The selection process for service providers is now underway," Ameen said.
The Maldives previously operated commercial helicopter flights, but the service was discontinued in 1999 following a fatal crash that raised safety concerns about the helicopters in use. Since then, helicopter flights have not been commercially operated in the Maldives. However, the MNDF occasionally uses helicopters for patient transport and rescue operations.
