The government has once again announced a search for a provider to offer helicopter services in the Maldives. The Ministry of Transport has opened the opportunity to express interest in this project for the third time.

While the government had announced a search for a provider for this service in August and December of last year, the Ministry of Transport stated that the opportunity has been reopened as no such party has been secured so far.

The announcement states that the service must cover transporting tourists between tourist facilities and airports, travel between resorts, and transportation services for locals. The Ministry stated that helicopters used for this service must be less than 8 years old, and at least one helicopter must be dedicated to transporting patients in emergencies and for search and rescue operations.

The Transport Ministry further stated that the provider must offer between 80 and 150 hours of service free of charge to the government every month for emergency patient transport and search and rescue operations.