MPs express concern over delay in resolving Addu flying school issues

Some lawmakers have expressed concern over the Ministry of Transport’s failure to provide a solution for the issues faced by students at the Asian Academy of Aeronautics (AAA) in Addu City.

While the students have shared their concerns with relevant institutions on multiple occasions, this includes delays in completing training which leads to increased expenditure and opportunity cost, as well as over the requirement to pay fees in American dollars which they noted was being done above the bank rate.

Responding to a tweet highlighting the latter issue by an account name “AAA student union”, Addu-Meedhoo constituency MP Rozaina Adam called on the transport ministry to resolve the matter and to take action against those assisting AAA.

She added that the school has become “a great burden for the whole country”.

MP for Addu City’s South-Hithadhoo constituency, Ahmed Rasheed questioned why locals are unable to carry out transactions in Maldivian currency in their own land, adding that the transport ministry, Maldives Monetary Authority and the Ministry of Higher Education’s lack of action in the matter cannot be justified.

Further, Kendhoo constituency MP Ali Hussain tweeted “nobody should be above the law, no institution should be stronger than the state”.

The Asian Academy of Aeronautics, accredited by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Maldivian Civil Aviation Department, was established in southernmost Addu City in 2010. The AAA provides flight training for professional pilots, graduates receive a JAA-compliant license recognized by ICAO member countries.

It is registered under the Ministry of Higher Education, and regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Vice President Faisal Naseem recently met with the relevant authorities to address the issues faced by students, and reminded them that “nurturing a resourceful youth workforce and providing them with opportunities to improve through training and education” is a key priority of the incumbent administration.

While the vice president traveled to the southernmost atolls on Saturday, he met with students of the academy during the trip and assured them that the government is closely monitoring the issues at flying academy.

He also asked Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer, who accompanied the vice president on the trip, to look into solutions for the student's predicament, including allowing students to pay their fees in local currency, with the minister assuring that he would look into ways to easing the students' situation.