Maldives has accomplished several achievements in the aviation sector, declared tourism minister Moosa Zameer on Monday.
In his message on the occasion of International Civil Aviation Day, the minister stated that international and domestic flight operations in the Maldives are steadfastly increasing, as are the number of aircrafts in the fleets.
Minister Zameer noted that the amount of international flight passengers is increasing by eleven percent per year, while the amount of domestic passengers has increased even higher. With the increase of international flights operations to the Maldives, the number of airlines registered in the nation now amounts to 79. Highlighting the flying school established in Addu atoll, the minister added that upgrades to the academy are underway.
“We’re already working to bring [the school’s] training up to par with European aviation regulations,” read his speech.
The message also shed light on the Maldives’ economic and safety advancements in the aviation sector according to the guidelines set by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), citing ICAO’s declaration in their 2014 audit that the Maldives is a developed country in the aviation sector.
The minister stressed the importance of establishing a strong regulatory system to maintain the nation’s aviation achievements. Accordingly, the government and the aviation industry are jointly compiling a safety programme for aviation, which they aim to fully implement by the end of next year, said the minister..
Minster Zameer also assured in his message that enhancing the Maldives’ current air operation and flight crew licensing regulations, which is underway, will strengthen the established foundation of aviation safety. The minister added that it will, in turn, open doors for various other types of aviation operations.
“These guidelines will facilitate the airlines of the Maldives to compete profitably on the market, regardless of the nation’s size. It will also open doors for helicopters, general aviation and other types of operations,” read the minister’s speech.
The message also notes the need to strengthen infrastructure to complement the influx of tourists to the country. The minister referred to the new runway project of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) and expand the airport apron. He assured that by project conclusion, the airport can serve 7.5 million people per year. Minister Zameer also stated that the project to expand the runway of Gan International Airport in Addu atoll, the second largest airport in the Maldives, is underway.
The minister also commented on the Civil Aviation Authority’s ongoing to work to draft a bill on passenger protection and their rights, which will be submitted to the parliament during the first term of next year. Should the bill be passed, passengers rights dictated in 1999’s Montreal Convention, which the Maldives partook in, will become mandatory for service providers.
ICAO’s international civil aviation theme from 2015 to 2018 is “No Country Left Behind”
Source: http://www.haveeru.com
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