The Maldives Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation on Monday invited companies to express interest in providing helicopter services for tourists and emergency evacuees.
The successful bidder will receive an exclusive 10-year contract to operate helicopter services throughout the country, including both tourist transportation and helicopter air ambulance services. During this period, no other company will be able to operate a similar service in the Maldives.
The decision to resume helicopter operations follows a Cabinet decision in January. Helicopters have been used for a variety of purposes, but operations had been suspended due to a series of accidents. Recently, two helicopters donated by India have been used for transporting patients and for search and rescue operations.
Companies capable of providing these services in the Maldives have been invited to submit proposals. The Ministry of Transport said the operator would be selected through a competitive bidding process focused on offering the safest and most reliable helicopter services.
The reintroduction of helicopter services is expected to improve inter-island movement for tourists and strengthen emergency response capabilities. The deadline for expressions of interest comes ahead of the proposal submission stage.
