A new amendment has been proposed in Parliament to disqualify individuals with vested interests in regulated entities from serving on the board of the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA).

The amendment was submitted by Dhandhoo MP Mohamed Fazeel on behalf of the Government, as part of changes to the Civil Aviation Authority Act, aiming to strengthen governance and reduce conflicts of interest within the authority.

Under the current law, board members are barred only if they or their affiliates hold more than a 5 per cent stake in an aviation-related company. The proposed revision would prohibit any stake or interest in a regulated entity, regardless of the percentage.

The bill also proposes structural changes, including the removal of clauses assigning aviation policy implementation solely to the minister, enhancing the authority’s independence. Additionally, it seeks to shorten decision timelines, requiring the board to act on urgent proposals within three days, down from the current five.

The proposed law, titled the Maldives Civil Aviation Bill, is designed to replace the 2019 legislation, aiming to introduce time-bound regulatory mechanisms for civil aviation. If passed, the bill will come into force once ratified and published in the Government gazette.