Ministry Says CoolFly Flying Vehicle Could Support Medical and Emergency Services Across Islands

The Transport Ministry has identified potential uses for the eVTOL flying vehicle demonstrated by Chinese company CoolFly in Hulhumalé, saying the technology could help transport medical samples, medicines and emergency supplies between islands, as well as support patient transfers and infrastructure monitoring.

The ministry outlined these potential applications following the launch of the aircraft demonstration in Hulhumalé on Friday. The demonstration, organised jointly by the Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade and the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives, featured CoolFly’s single-seat Dream ST model.

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The ministry said the aircraft could transport medical samples from health facilities on one island to laboratories on another, deliver urgently needed medicines and vaccines, and carry first-aid kits and other equipment during emergencies and disasters.

The China-Maldives Business Gateway Association (CMBGA) also highlighted the potential of the technology, saying the demonstration went beyond showcasing an aircraft and opened opportunities to explore its use in tourism, island connectivity, logistics and emergency response.

In a post on X, the association said the demonstration represented an opportunity for practical China–Maldives cooperation by bringing together relevant partners and exploring how new technology could address challenges faced by the Maldives as an island nation.

The association said the technology could create new economic opportunities while supporting connectivity between islands.

An eVTOL, short for electric vertical take-off and landing, is an electrically powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically without requiring a conventional runway. The CoolFly demonstration took place in the channel area between Hulhumalé Phase 1 and Phase 2 Friday and Saturday. 

The ministry said the demonstration would allow Maldivian authorities, businesses and other stakeholders to explore the technology’s potential applications and assess the regulatory, safety, infrastructure and technical requirements for its possible introduction in the country.

The Maldives has previously explored drone technology for healthcare logistics. In September 2023, the State Trading Organisation (STO), in collaboration with the Health Ministry, received approval to lead drone services for the health sector, including the transport of blood samples, emergency medical supplies and other medical consumables to remote islands. However, these services are not currently in operation.