Minister Mohamed Ameen: Maldives to Restrict Air Transport Sales Roles to Fully Maldivian Owned Companies

The Maldives is set to implement a major regulatory shift in its aviation sector, reserving key air transport sales agency roles exclusively for companies that are 100% Maldivian-owned. The announcement was made by Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Captain Mohamed Ameen, who confirmed that the Civil Aviation Authority will soon gazette the new regulation under the directive of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The reform will apply to General Sales Agents (GSAs), Passenger Sales Agents (PSAs), and Cargo Sales Agents (CSAs). Once enacted, only wholly Maldivian-owned entities will be permitted to operate in these capacities, marking a significant departure from previous rules that allowed foreign ownership.

According to Minister Ameen, the move is designed to empower local enterprises and ensure that the economic benefits of air transport sales remain within the domestic economy.

This policy change is widely seen as a response to longstanding calls from Maldivian businesses for greater participation and control in the aviation sector. By limiting these roles to local firms, the government aims to foster business growth, job creation, and economic resilience within the country.