The operation of a seaplane terminal currently being built in Malé could soon be transferred to Trans Maldivian Airways (TMW, Malé) despite the move lacking parliamentary approval, lawmaker Yaugoob Abdulla has warned.
Abdulla, who represents the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said in a tweet that the government would incur losses as a result of the move. This would then require a Finance Committee portfolio inquiry which could veto the transfer. He tagged the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives in his tweet.
Earlier statements, both by the airline and by the government, denied any such plans and underlined that the new terminal, which is being developed by China's Beijing Urban Construction Group, will be operated directly by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), the state-owned operator of all Maldivian airports. MACL said, however, that it was in talks with airlines regarding the leasing of space at the new terminal.
The new seaplane terminal will be able to handle up to 55 seaplanes at a time with a potential to expand to 100 berths.
The Maldives is the world's largest seaplane market. Trans Maldivian Airways has a fleet of fifty-seven DHC-6 amphibians.
