Cost of proposed seaplane operations to local islands “unreasonably high”: Transport Ministry
16 May 2013, 3:27 PM
Minivan News
The Ministry of Transport and Communications has decided to negotiate with seaplane operators Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) and Maldivian Air Taxi (MAT) to reduce the cost of flights to the atolls, which the ministry believes is “unreasonably high”, reports local media.
The companies submitted a joint proposal in response to the planned Maldivian government initiative to expand seaplane services to the islands to improve the country’s transportation network.
Director General of Regional Airports at the Transport Ministry Saamee Ageel told local media today that the prices quoted by TMA and MAT were “unreasonably high”. The companies proposed being exempt from all aviation surcharges and would charge US$95 (MVR 1,464.90) per trip, per person.
The joint proposal also requested the government compensate the companies if the seaplanes travel with less than 12 passengers on any trip, according to Ageel.
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