The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has announced an invitation for companies interested in offering helicopter services in the Maldives. The notification, issued on Monday, seeks applications for providing emergency evacuation and tourist transport services via helicopter.

Successful bidders will be granted exclusive rights for a decade to operate helicopter services nationwide, including both tourist transport and air ambulance services. No other company will be permitted to offer helicopter services during this period.

Companies capable of navigating the Maldives' challenging environment are encouraged to submit their proposals following the expression of interest deadline. The Transport Ministry emphasized that the selection will be based on competitive bidding to ensure the safest and most effective helicopter services.

This move comes after the Cabinet's decision in January to reauthorize helicopter flights in the Maldives. Although helicopter services were previously halted due to accidents, India’s donation of two helicopters has since supported patient transport and search operations.