Island Aviation refuses to disclose number of flights chartered for PNC rally

Island Aviation Services Limited, the operator of Maldivian, has refused to provide details on the number of chartered flights used to transport people to a rally organized by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), in Malé City on November 17.

When contacted by RaajjeMV for clarification, the company cited “commercial secrecy” as the reason for withholding the information.

RaajjeMV earlier submitted a series of questions to Island Aviation under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, a tool meant to ensure transparency in government operations. Among the questions posed were requests for the exact number of chartered flights operated on that particular day, the entities responsible for booking the flights, and whether payments for the services had been fully received.

In a response issued on December 11, Island Aviation, a 100 percent government-owned company, stated that it could not release the information due to the inclusion of “commercial secrets.”

The company’s refusal to provide the requested details has raised questions about the transparency of government-backed operations, particularly when the details concern the transportation of individuals for a high-profile political event.

This response stands in contrast to Muizzu's campaign pledge, which promised that his administration would uphold transparency and avoid concealing any information from the public. Despite the pledge, Island Aviation's refusal to release basic flight data may undermine that commitment.

Island Aviation, which primarily generates revenue through passenger transport, reported earning MVR 345 million from domestic flights in the first quarter of this year. However, the company also posted a loss of MVR 46 million during the same period, reflecting ongoing financial challenges despite its substantial revenue.