Govt seeks helicopter operators for emergencies, tourists

Companies interested in providing helicopter services in Maldives are invited to express their interest.

The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation issued a notification on Monday inviting applications from those interested in providing emergency evacuation and helicopter services to ferry tourists in the Maldives.

The announcement states that the successful bidder will get 10 years exclusivity to provide the helicopter service as a nationwide tourist transport service in addition to the helicopter based air ambulance service.

This means no other company will be allowed to operate helicopter services in Maldives during that period.

Companies that can provide such a service despite the challenging environment in Maldives will be given the opportunity to submit proposals after the deadline for expression of interest.

The Transport Ministry said in an announcement that the operator will be selected through a competitive bid to provide the safest and most robust helicopter services.

The Cabinet decided to re-authorize helicopter flights in Maldives last January. In the past, helicopters had carried people in the country, but the service was stopped after accidents started killing people. Later, two helicopters donated by India were used to transport patients and search for missing persons.