A bill has been submitted to the Parliament seeking to repeal the existing 27-year-old Maldives Civil Aviation Act and reintroduce the law with several amendments to modernise the sector.
The bill was proposed by the government and introduced by Member of Parliament Abdullah Shazeem. The first reading of the bill has been completed and the debate process is now underway.
The objective of the proposed Civil Aviation Bill seeks to replace the current Civil Aviation Act of 2001, by introducing of a legal framework for the implementation of all aspects of civil aviation through a modern enforcement system. The bill also aims to ensure that the rules and standards relating to the safety and security of civil aviation in the Maldives are in line with the standards established in the International Convention on Civil Aviation, to which the Maldives is party.
One of the most significant changes proposed to the Act is the mandatory formulation of a master plan for the development of airports. The bill states that every airport should have a specific master plan and the construction and development of the airport as well its operations and activities must be carried out in accordance with the master plan.
The bill states that the master plan must be formulated in accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation and other relevant international treaties, and in accordance with the domestic rules, regulations and standards set out under the Act.
The bill also mandates that each master plan must be reviewed every five years and necessary amendments should be made accordingly.
The bill also stated that a five-member council called the Airport Development Oversight Council must be formed within 60 days of the bill's passage and ratification. The council will be formed by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, and the master plan of the airports will be developed by this council.
Once the law comes into force, the bill proposes the creation of a body called Maldives Air Accidents Investigation Agency, which will investigate civil aviation accidents and serious incidents. This agency will be established as an independent agency operated under the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. The purpose of this agency will be to receive, investigate and publicise information on air traffic accidents and serious incidents. The agency will also be tasked with identifying factors that affect and potentially affect air safety and provide safety recommendations to air transport service providers and the public. The objectives also include conducting programmes on safe air travel and raising public awareness.