Azan resigns as AIA chairman following father's removal from post

Azan Ahmed Zuhair has resigned as Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Addu International Airport (AIA), citing the removal of his father, Ahmed Zuhair, from a position at the Maldives Transportation Safety Board (MTSB).

Azan announced his resignation in a post on social media platform X on Monday.

His father, Ahmed Zuhair, was appointed as a director of the MTSB on 27 June 2025. Zuhair previously served as State Minister for Transport during the administration of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

In his statement, Azan said his father had long been a supporter of the MDP and was appointed to the MTSB following an interview process that assessed his qualifications and experience.

According to Azan, no condition was attached to the appointment requiring support for the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), and his father would not have accepted the role had such a condition existed.

Azan said that, after taking up the position, his father refrained from participating in MDP political activities. However, he recently attended a campaign event for MDP candidate Abdulla Sodiq during the Hithadhoo North parliamentary by-election because of a family relationship.

He further stated that the relevant ministry had been informed of his father's participation 15 days before the event.

"Despite this, certain individuals within the government moved to have my father removed from his post. Since it was not a political appointment but a contractual position, they dissolved the entire position today to achieve that objective," Azan wrote.

He said he could no longer continue representing a government that acted in such a manner and had therefore submitted his resignation as AIA board chairperson.

Azan concluded his statement by thanking the management and staff of Addu International Airport for their cooperation during his tenure.

Neither the government nor the MTSB had publicly commented on the claims at the time of publication.