Dubai’s Air Chateau and Maldives’ RACL Partner for Advanced Island Air Mobility

Air Chateau DWC, Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL), and Wings Capital Management have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch the ambitious "Elevate Maldives" project. This collaboration aims to revolutionize air transport in the Maldives with a comprehensive plan for VVIP air taxis, commercial cargo, and passenger operations using electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and drones.

The agreement, which marks a significant step in enhancing the Maldives' air mobility infrastructure, will see the development of a network of vertiports and droneports across the country’s 1,200 islands. The initiative will be spearheaded by RACL, a government entity responsible for domestic airports, along with Air Chateau, a Dubai-based helicopter operator, and Wings Capital Management, which will manage the project’s implementation.

Ahamed Mubeen, Managing Director of RACL, highlighted the strategic nature of this partnership. “This unique opportunity positions us as an ideal partner for investors in the aviation sector. We are pleased to establish this understanding with globally recognized firms like Wings Capital Management and Air Chateau,” Mubeen said. RACL currently operates eight airports and plans to expand to 15, aligning with broader government initiatives.

Nipuna Wahalathanthrige, Group CEO of Wings Capital Management, emphasized the project’s potential for innovation.He noted the strong interest from foreign investors and the Maldives government's proactive stance in attracting investment.
The project will enable Air Chateau to operate helicopter and eVTOL services throughout a network spanning about 180 nautical miles from Male, the capital, to the northern and southern parts of the Maldives. Air Chateau will hold operational rights for 20 years, including the responsibility of attracting foreign direct investment.

Dr. Samir Mohammed, Chairman of Air Chateau, described the Maldives as an ideal location for such innovations. “The Maldives presents a unique opportunity for us, especially within the tourism and mobility sectors. With a total addressable market for air tourism transfers estimated at around half a billion dollars annually, the Maldives exemplifies the potential for Island Air Mobility (IAM), similar to Regional Air Mobility (RAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Our helicopters and future eVTOL operations will simply complement the existing transportation modes, creating a synergistic and convenient hub-and-spoke system.”he said.

The "Elevate Maldives" project plans to establish up to 100 hybrid vertiports and 500 drone ports across the islands. These facilities will include Touch Down and Lift-Off (TLOF) areas, Final Approach and Take-Off (FATO) zones, terminal waiting halls, and infrastructure for charging and fire safety. The initiative also aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals and carbon credit standards.

In conjunction with this project, the Maldives Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has called for expressions of interest in providing helicopter services for tourism and emergency evacuations. The successful bidder will secure a 10-year exclusive contract for nationwide operations, including tourist transport and air ambulance services. This exclusive period will prevent other companies from offering similar services in the Maldives.