IAS to transfer flight school in Addu to private operator
Students have been informed about the transfer of the school to new management.
Island Aviation Services (IAS) is in the process of ceasing its operation of the Maldivian Aviation Academy in Gan, Addu City, and transferring the management to a private foreign entity.
The flight school was established in 2022 as a partnership between IAS and the Maldives National University. The move followed the suspension of operations of the Sri Lankan-run Asian Academy of Aeronautics (AAA) in Addu, which faced student complaints over academic delays.
The Maldivian Aviation Academy is now expected to be managed by Zenith Aviation Academy. According to the business registration portal, Zenith Aviation Academy was registered earlier this year. The company’s Managing Director is Sandeep Kumar. Its shareholders include Atoll Consultancy Pvt Ltd and Simplify Holdings Group Limited.
The board of directors consists of Sandeep Kumar, Ismail Rasheed, and Smitha Hegdi. Ismail Rasheed also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the academy.
Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen confirmed to Atoll Times that IAS is in the process of transferring management of the flight school. He noted that it is uncommon for airlines to manage aviation training institutions directly due to operational challenges.
“It is not practical, and most major airlines do not operate flight schools,” the minister said.
He also noted that issues between the former government and the previous operator from Sri Lanka had not been resolved. Following those developments, the flight training facility was handed over to IAS, but the company has since been operating it at a financial loss.
According to the minister, the transfer of operations is being conducted through a request for proposal (RFP) process.
IAS has not issued a formal statement regarding the decision. Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas did not respond to phone calls or messages seeking comment.
Meanwhile, students have been informed about the transfer of the school to new management. A website has also been launched under the name of Zenith Aviation Academy, featuring the Maldivian Aviation Academy’s logo.
