Dubai-based helicopter and vertical take-off and landing field operator Air Chateau DWC, Maldives’ national company Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL), and Wings Capital Management, Abu Dhabi, UAE, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate and enable VVIP and HNI air taxi operations, eVTOL commercial cargo and passenger operations across the Maldives, and island air mobility under “Project Elevate Maldives” to deploy advanced air mobility infrastructure and enable drone and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft operations.
To execute the proposed project, Regional Airport Company Limited, the government entity responsible for operating the country’s airports, will set up a public-private partnership with Dubai-based helicopter operator Air Chateau and project management facilitator Wings Capital Management. With this partnership, Air Chateau will develop a network of vertical take-off and landing pads and drone ports connecting more than 1,200 islands across the Maldives.
RACL Managing Director Ahmed Mubeen said the company currently operates eight airports in different parts of the Maldives and aims to expand this number to 15 in the near future in line with ongoing government planning initiatives.
“This unique opportunity positions us as an ideal partner for investors in the aviation industry. We are pleased to build this understanding with globally recognised firms such as Wings Capital Management and Air Chateau,” said Mubeen.
Nipuna Waharasantrige, Group CEO, Wings Capital Management, Dubai, UAE, highlighted that the South Asian region has unique potential for competitive growth and innovation driven by advanced technology and strategic management. As the lead project management facilitator for this proposed project, Wings Capital Management is committed to making this endeavor a success. Waharasantrige further highlighted the strong interest of foreign investors in projects in the Maldives, pointing out the current government’s proactive stance in attracting investment opportunities.
Air Chateau will acquire operating rights from RACL and a national privilege to operate helicopters and eVTOLs in the Maldives for a period of 20 years on an island network stretching approximately 180 nautical miles from the capital, Male, to the north and south of the country. The company will also be responsible for attracting foreign direct investment into the project.
Dr Samir Mohammed, Chairman of Air Chateau, said: “The Maldives presents unique opportunities for us, particularly in the areas of tourism and mobility. The market size for air tourism transport is estimated to be around $500 million per year, and the Maldives embodies the potential of Island Air Mobility (IAM) as well as Regional Air Mobility (RAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Our helicopters and future eVTOL operations will only complement existing transport options, creating a synergistic and convenient hub-and-spoke system.”
The project aims to set up to 100 hybrid vertical take-off and landing sites across 1,200 islands, complete with landing and take-off (TLOF) areas, final approach and take-off (FATO) zones, safety zones, terminal waiting areas, charging and fire protection infrastructure.Furthermore, the project also envisages the development of 500 drone ports dedicated to cargo operations, supporting first, middle and last mile logistics, all equipped with charging stations and fire protection systems.
The Elevate Maldives project has been certified as aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Carbon Credits.
The Maldives Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation recently invited companies interested in providing helicopter services for tourists and emergency evacuations. 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 operating a similar service in the Maldives.
