Government on Wednesday announced plans to re-start helicopter operations in the archipelago, more than 15 years since the island nation ceased using choppers after a series of accidents resulted in multiple fatalities.
Speaking during a ceremony on Wednesday to mark this year's International Aviation Day, tourism minister Moosa Zameer that aviation remained a top priority for the government and revealed multiple proposals from interested private firms to begin helicopter operations in the Maldives.
Despite the earlier disasters, Zameer said helicopter operations could provide a major boost for the tourism industry in the transfer of tourists to and from the scattered island resorts.
However, he was quick to assure that the government would look at a safety first policy before re-commencing helicopter operations.
"We've already received several proposals to commercially operate helicopters. We're also looking at other ways to improve our aviation industry," Zameer explained.
Zameer underscored the importance of exploring new ways for transportation as the government looks to open several new resorts in the near future.
