The Regional Airports Company (RACL) has expressed interest in providing helicopter services for emergency evaluation and tourist transport in the Maldives.

Transport Ministry opened for expression of interest in providing helicopter services in the Maldives on the 6th of this month. The deadline expired last Sunday. The Transport Ministry said the winner of the bid will have the exclusivity to operate the helicopter in the Maldives for 10 years.

RACL expressed interest in providing helicopter services in partnership with Dubai-based operator Air Chateau DWC and Wing Capital Management.

Urban Air Mobility News (UAM) reports that RACL will form a public-private partnership with Air Chateau DWC and Wing Capital to provide helicopter services in the Maldives under the name of “Project Elevate Maldives”.

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) zones, 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.

According to the UAM, Air Chateau will receive rights of operate by RACL, state privileges to operate helicopters and eVTOL operations in the Maldives for 20 years. The company will also be responsible for attracting foreign direct investment in the project.