Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) has signed with Dubai-based helicopter and vertiport operator, Air Chateau DWC and Abu Dhabi-based Wings Capital Management to launch helicopter and affiliated operations in the Maldives.
The “Project Elevate Maldives” has plans to roll out a VVIP & HNI air tax operations, commercial cargo and passenger operations with eVTOLs and advanced air mobility infrastructure across the island nation, that would enable island air mobility for drones and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft operations.
The partners of the agreement, under a Public-Private Partnership, will develop a network of vertiports and drone ports to connect over 1,200 islands across the Maldives.
Speaking about this partnership, the Managing Director of RACL, Ahmed Mubeen said, “This unique opportunity positions us as an ideal partner for investors in the aviation sector.”
“We are pleased to establish this understanding with globally recognized firms like Wings Capital Management and Air Chateau.”
Nipuna Wahalathanthrige, the Group CEO of Wings Capital Management underscored the South Asian region’s unique potential for competitive growth and innovation drive by advanced technology and strategic management. He also emphasized the keen interest of foreign investors for projects in the Maldives.
As part of the agreement, Air Chateau will receive rights of operate by RACL, state privileges to operate helicopters and eVTOL operations in the Maldives for 20 years.
“The Maldives presents a unique opportunity for us, especially within the tourism and mobility sectors,” said Dr. Samir Mohammed, Chairman of Air Chateau.
“With a total addressable market for air tourism transfers estimated at around half a billion dollars annually, the Maldives exemplifies the potential for Island Air Mobility (IAM), similar to Regional Air Mobility (RAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM),” Samir added.
The project aims to establish up to 100 hybrid vertiports across 1,200 islands, featuring Touch Down and Lift-Off (TLOF) areas, Final Approach and Take-Off (FATO) and safety zones, terminal waiting halls, and charging and fire-retardant infrastructure.
Additionally, the project envisions the development of 500 drone ports dedicated to cargo operations, supporting first-, middle-, and last-mile logistics, all equipped with charging stations and fire-retardant systems.
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