Managing Director of Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL) Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed has announced plans to establish a water runway, aiming to commence seaplane operations during the night. Shareef made these remarks during a panel discussion at the Air Service World Congress 2024.
Speaking at the discussion, Managing Director Shareef revealed that during the peak season, seaplane movements are recorded every minute of the day, with the number of movements increasing to 70 on some days. He unveiled the overarching goal of extending seaplane operations into the night hours before the winter peak season arrives. Currently, seaplane operations begin at dawn and end at 1800hrs due to the lack of adequate resources and facilities for nighttime operations.
To meet the growing demand for seaplane services, MACL is exploring strategies to expand operations and introduce new innovations in the sector. Shareef emphasized the importance of planning for these innovations and revealed the Maldives' commitment to providing full cooperation to international investors and businesses interested in advancing seaplane services. He highlighted interest in exploring a variety of seaplane aircraft designs and methods for incorporating renewable energy into seaplane operations.
Maldives holds the largest seaplane fleet in the world, with over 60 aircraft in operation since services began in 1990. The planned water runway and expansion of night-time operations aim to further enhance the Maldives' position as a leader in global seaplane services.