Air Chateau, RACL, Wings Capital “Announce Launch of Elevate Maldives Project”
Middle East-based, Air Chateau, a Dubai helicopter and vertiport operator, announced this week a collaboration with Regional Airports Company (RACL) and Wings Capital Management of Abu Dhabi, UAE, reports a press release.
Their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to create a roll out of air taxi operations, commercial cargo and passenger operations with eVTOLs and advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure across the Maldives under the name ‘Project Elevate Maldives’, enabling island air mobility for drones and e/VTOL aircraft operations.
The three companies intend to establish a Public-Private Partnership where Air Chateau is to develop a network of vertiports and droneports to connect over 1,200 islands across the Maldives.
Dr. Samir Mohammed, Chairman of Air Chateau, commented, “The Maldives presents a unique opportunity for us, especially within the tourism and mobility sectors which are valued at around half a billion dollars annually.”
He continued, “The Maldives exemplifies the potential for Island Air Mobility (IAM), similar to Regional Air Mobility (RAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Our Helicopters and future eVTOL operations will simply complement the existing transportation modes, creating a synergistic and convenient hub-and-spoke system.”
RACL, a state owned company of the Republic of Maldives, currently operates eight airports across various regions of the islands and aims to expand this number to 15 in the near future.
The Maldives
Ahamed Mubeen, MD of RACL, added, “This unique opportunity positions us as an ideal partner for investors in the aviation sector. We are delighted to partner with globally recognised firms like Air chateau and Wings Capital.” He further emphasised the company’s potential investment prospects in tourism, green energy and innovative airport operation models.
Meanwhile, Nipuna Wahalathanthrige, Group CEO of UAE-based Wings Capital Management underscored the South Asian region’s unique potential for competitive growth and innovation and emphasised the growing interest of foreign investors for projects in the Maldives.
He remarked, ”The active stance of the current government to attract investment opportunities for this IAM field is a great help in making this proposed project a success.” Adding, “The investment plans presented have strengthened the confidence of investors and thus contributes significantly to the overall economic growth of the Maldives.”
In an island complex spanning for about 180 nautical miles, Air Chateau is to receive the rights of operations from RACL, including state privileges to operate helicopters and eVTOLs for the next 20 years.
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, charging stations and fire-retardant systems..
Additionally, the project envisions the development of 500 drone ports dedicated to cargo operations, supporting first, middle, and last-mile logistics. The “Elevate Maldives” project has been identified to be aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and carbon credits.
The project is expected to boost Maldivian talent and job creation as well as spur on the development of new advanced mobility services and businesses in the region.
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(Top image: Dr. Samir Mohammed shaking hands with Ahamed Mubeen — Credit: Air Chateau)
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