A joint venture between a Maldivian company and Chinese party has expressed interested in founding a new international airline based in the Maldives.
A top civil aviation official told local media on Monday that the company has been asked to submit a formal proposal. Licence would only be given after reviewing the proposal, he added.
The airline reportedly has plans to operate direct flights to several destinations in China and in Europe from its hub at the Maldives main Velana International Airport.
Mega Maldives, the only private international airline in the Maldives, ceased operations last year and has filed for bankruptcy.
Maldives flagship carrier Maldivian is the only local airline with international operations.
The state-owned airline operates flights to all the 10 domestic airports across the Maldives, and runs international operations to South Asian neighbours India and Bangladesh, and far Eastern countries such as Thailand and China.
Meanwhile, brand new airline Manta Air is set to launch in October, with both domestic flights and seaplane operations.
Photo: PSM News