Flying School to be established in Addu Atoll

miadhu
The Government will be setting up a flying school in Addu Atoll to provide pilot training in the Maldives. This was disclosed by Atolls Minister and DRP's running mate Ahmed Thasmeen Ali to a huge rally in Hithadhoo last night. Thasmen was speaking to hundreds of supporters of President Gayoom's party DRP. Gayoom is contesting for the first ever multi party presidential election to be held next month. Addu Atoll is the southern most atoll where many people have been discontent about the government. There were many adduans in the opposition parties aiming to change the government of President Gayoom. But of late, many of these people have joined the government party after tourism and several other development projects have started in the atoll. Addu Atoll is the most densely populated atoll in the country.

Elaborating on the flying school project Thasmeen said the project will bring immense benefits to the people in the atoll. He said the government is pursuing a policy of expanding the economy and investments in the country. The flying school is one of them and it is being processed by the Foreign Investment Bureau of the Economic Development Ministry. The Agreement for establishing the flying school has already been signed. According to Thasmeen there will be a quota allocated for the four southern atolls in this pilot training school.

The project of the pilot training school will commence next year when the necessary budgetary allocations are provided. Pilots are highly in demand for the growing aviation industry in the country especially after several new tourist resorts have been opened in the atolls. Addu Atoll has already opened a big tourist resort and a second one under the Shangrila chain will soon be opened.

At the moment a large number of Maldivian pilots are trained overseas mainly in USA and Sri Lanka. Pilot training is one of the most expensive courses. It is expected, Maldivians trainees will get very concessional costs from the flying school to be established in Addu Atoll.