The Maldives Civil Aviation Authority has appointed the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) to provide an in-depth review of Maldives CAA’s helicopter regulatory oversight capability.

In December 2016, the Maldives government revealed their intentions to re-introduce commercial helicopter operations in the archipelago, more than 15 years since the island nation ceased using helicopters. The new helicopter operations could provide a significant boost for the tourism industry and provide transportation links to several new island resorts.

Building on a long-standing relationship with the UK CAA, Maldives CAA is eager to work with a fellow aviation regulator to assess Maldives CAA’s oversight capability and provide recommendations to enable effective safety oversight.

Led by UK CAA flight operations specialists, the project will include a full helicopter operations risk assessment. UK CAA experts will support MCAA and AOC Accountable Managers to establish the intentions of the operations and recommend how these operations can be achieved safely. The project will also involve an offshore helideck review, to provide a complete “risk picture” of future helicopter operations.

This study will play an important role in ensuring that MCAA has a sound regulatory framework in place and the necessary technical capability to oversee commercial rotary flight operations in accordance with international standards.

The project is expected to commence in June 2017.