Transport Minister highlights importance of transforming airports as profit generating enterprises

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Aishath Nahula has highlighted the importance of transforming the domestic airports as profit generating enterprises. The transport minister made the statement in her address commemorating International Civil Aviation Day.

In her address, Transport Minister Aishath Nahula noted the efforts underway to further develop the airports in Maldives and enhance the services provided. The minister revealed the importance of assessing the use of domestic flights across the country, adding the airports need to be transformed to profit generating enterprises.

She said to achieve the goal, the private sector needs to invest in the aviation sector and the administration needs to provide easier opportunities for the investments. The transport minister revealed in the efforts to expand the aviation industry in Maldives, the administration plans to introduce new strategies and plans to enhance the sector.

Noting the goals of the administration wants to achieve in its first 100 days, the minister said the future of the aviation sector in Maldives is promising and highlighted the expansion project of Velana International Airport (VIA) as the largest investment conducted in Maldives. There are 12 airports in operation in Maldives, with more airports to be developed across the country.

In 1996 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that December 7 was to be the International Civil Aviation Day. The purpose of the day is to recognize the importance of aviation, especially international air travel, to the social and economic development of the world.