Island Aviation Service Limited (IASL) has officially inaugurated its first engineering service building, named the “Ali Firaq Engineering Service Building” in honour of the late Ali Firaq, a longtime member of the company’s engineering department. 

The opening ceremony took place on Sunday at Velana International Airport (VIA) and was attended by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen and IASL Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas.

The concept for the new facility was originally proposed by Ali Firaq in 2015, with the project plan completed in 2016. After budget approval in 2021, construction began in 2022 and has now been completed.

This new building represents a significant milestone for IASL, as it is the company’s first dedicated facility for managing aircraft spare parts and engineering operations.

The engineering service building is expected to improve working conditions for employees, enhance operational efficiency, and elevate the quality of maintenance services provided by IASL.

The facility will also support Maldivian, the national carrier operated by IASL, by speeding up maintenance processes and providing greater convenience for staff.

Minister Mohamed Ameen highlighted that the Government aims to make IASL a profitable company within the next one to two years.

The new facility is anticipated to reduce maintenance costs and ease operational burdens while boosting safety and security standards. Additionally, the expanded capacity will benefit not only Maldivian but also several international airlines that use the Maldives as a destination.

The development of the engineering service building took nearly a decade from initial concept to completion, reflecting the government’s commitment to strengthening the aviation sector under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Efforts are underway to elevate Maldivian’s status as the national airline by enhancing its operational capability and role in the region.

IASL continues to focus on improving its financial sustainability by optimising revenue use and strengthening its overall financial position.