Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has announced that the permission to act as sales agents for airlines will be changed to be given only to 100% Maldivian-owned companies.

In a post on X last night, Ameen said that the Transport Ministry will gazette the relevant regulations very soon.

Ameen stated that this is a change that companies have been requesting for a long time. However, he did not specify an exact date for when these regulations would be gazetted.

"The Civil Aviation Authority will gazette the relevant regulations very soon," Ameen said.

He also mentioned that this is an ongoing effort by the Ministry under the guidance of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Once the Transport Ministry gazettes this regulation and it comes into effect, foreign companies and joint venture companies will no longer be able to act as sales agents for airlines in the Maldives.

According to the CAA website, more than 50 companies are currently operating as airline sales agents in the Maldives.

This change represents a significant shift in policy aimed at promoting local businesses in the aviation sector.