The Maldivian seaplane, which was designated as an air ambulance to carry patients, is being used to transport tourists to resorts, Adhadhu has learnt.

A source familiar with the matter told Adhadhu that the decision to include the air ambulance in the general fleet was taken because it would not be cost-effective to have a separate seaplane to carry patients and resorts were facing difficulties in transporting tourists.

Maldivian has a total of 11 seaplanes. The government wanted to stop using Indian helicopters and aircraft to carry patients and designated a separate plane and seaplane as an air ambulance in order to fulfil a pledge made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

However, five months after the air ambulance service was launched, the seaplane-air ambulance service has now been discontinued.

"Eleven seaplanes were carrying tourists to resorts, one of which was converted to an air ambulance. However, it was unsuccessful. The air ambulance was converted to the regular seaplane fleet as it was difficult to transport people to the resorts," a source said.

Maldivian Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas did not give a direct response when questioned about the matter. He said the operations to carry patients in seaplanes would not stop. But he did not clarify whether the air ambulance had been included in the regular seaplane fleet.

Flight radar, which tracks aircraft movements, shows that the seaplane did not fly to any local islands this week, but had flown from the Velana International Airport (VIA) to several resort islands.

Flights made by the seaplane this week

• Brennia Kottefaru
• Robinson Noonu
• Vakkaru Maldives
• Kihaa Maldives
• Finolhu Maldives
• Ellaidhoo Maldives
• Madifushi Private Island

A DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft carrying tourists in the Maldivian seaplane fleet was converted into an air ambulance on March 15. The air ambulance service was launched on March 1 with the Dash8-200 aircraft.

Speaking in Noonu Manadhoo island on December 29, President Muizzu said the seaplane and the Dash8 will be converted into an air ambulance with the necessary equipment. However, the interior of both aircraft had not been modified.

Introducing air ambulance services was a pledge made by President Muizzu. The government has described it as an attempt to get rid of the Indian military aircraft that previously provided patient transport services.

However, the Indian aircraft has resumed carrying patients while the seaplane ambulance is being used to transport tourists. Indian aircraft resumed carrying patients on Independence Day.

The air ambulance service is provided in collaboration with Island Aviation, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Transport, Aasandha and the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).