Transport Minister Flags Concerns Over Oversupply of Pilot Training Scholarships

The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, has raised concern over the former government’s decision to issue a large number of scholarships for pilot training without aligning with the actual demand in the Maldivian aviation sector. 

According to the Minister, this has resulted in a surplus of qualified pilots who are now facing limited employment opportunities.

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Speaking during the Ahaashey Bunaanan programme on Dhivehi Raajjeyge Adu, Minister Ameen noted that although the Maldives’ aviation industry is growing at an annual rate of approximately 7 percent, it remains a relatively small sector. Over the past five years, more than 500 students received government-funded scholarships for pilot training, while another 200 undertook training at their own expense. Despite this, the local aviation industry generates employment for only around 20 new pilots each year.

The Minister highlighted that the scholarships were awarded without consideration for the employment capacity of the sector. He described the decision as a failure to assess demand and said that neither the students nor their parents were adequately informed about the limited job prospects in the field.

Minister Ameen stated that this mismatch between training and employment has led to increased pressure on domestic flight operators to hire more pilots than necessary. He warned against continuing this trend and confirmed that the current administration does not plan to offer further pilot training scholarships in the near term. Instead, the government intends to prioritise scholarships in fields that are more urgently needed in the country.

He added that students currently pursuing pilot training would be given the option to switch to other areas of study if they choose, although those wishing to continue would not be prevented from doing so. However, he maintained that expanding training in this area would not be a prudent use of resources.

The Minister emphasised the importance of directing young people towards sectors with greater employment prospects and noted the urgent national need for skilled professionals in other critical fields.