The air ambulance sea plane has been utilised for commercial flights after ensuring the operation would not hinder the transportation of patients in medical emergencies, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Amin has said.

Amin said on Wednesday night that the sea ambulance service has some limitations. He said the sea ambulance service has some limitations. Speaking on a programme at PSM, Minister Amin said that seaplanes cannot be operated at night.

Amin said Island Aviation Services Limited has started a sea ambulance service with a medical team. As such, there is no demand for the sea ambulance introduced by the government, he said.

“The decision to use the seaplane commercially was taken after ensuring there would be no difficulty in using the seaplane even if there was a medical evacuation,” Amin said.

The launch of the air ambulance service in Maldives is a presidential pledge by President Dr. Mohammed Muizzu. The service was launched on March 1, with the first patient being transferred from Kulhudhuffushi city to Male'.

According to the Health Ministry, 15 health workers have been trained to provide air ambulance services. They include five doctors, five nurses and five emergency medical technicians