Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has announced that a new regulation will soon be gazetted requiring that only local companies serve as sales agents for airlines operating in the Maldives.

In a post shared on social media, Minister Ameen said the upcoming rule on air transport sales will specify that only companies that are 100 per cent Maldivian-owned will be permitted to act as general sales agents, passenger sales agents, or cargo sales agents for airlines.

The Minister noted that the directive, initiated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, is a long-awaited reform aimed at empowering and strengthening local businesses within the aviation sector.

Following the opening of Velana International Airport’s (VIA) new terminal in July, the Government has been implementing a series of measures to ensure that Maldivians benefit from the increased operational capacity and new opportunities in the aviation sector.