Minister of Transport Aishath Nahula has announced a state-funded aviation scholarship, under the name ‘Next Gen Aviators’.

Speaking at the celebration event for ‘International Civil Aviation Day’ on Friday, Minister Nahula said that the biggest challenge to the local Civil Aviation Authority is a shortage of capable staff.

The minister also said that bolstering of the ‘open skies’ policy in the Maldives, liberalizing so as to foster in-industry competition, is necessary to fulfill the government’s pledge to reduce aviation flight ticket prices.

Minister Nahula said that the government will also have a bill proposed in parliament to develop local air travel and have the industry meet international standards. The minister said that aviation laws need to be amended so as to meet the policies of the current age.