Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) officially launched the Aviation Institute of Maldives (AIM) on 12 August 2026, establishing a dedicated platform for professional education and technical workforce development within the country’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. The institute was formally inaugurated during a ceremony held at the Hulhule Island Hotel ballroom, which also marked the graduation of AIM’s inaugural cohort.
The Chancellor of the Maldives National University (MNU), Dr Mahamood Shougee, attended the ceremony as chief guest and formally inaugurated the Aviation Institute of Maldives alongside MACL Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed and members of the company’s senior management.
The establishment of AIM represents an important addition to the Maldives’ aviation training infrastructure, providing a structured mechanism for developing specialised knowledge, operational expertise and professional qualifications required across airport and aviation services. As the Maldives continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and expand its aviation infrastructure, the availability of skilled local professionals remains increasingly important to supporting efficient, safe and internationally competitive airport operations.
Addressing guests at the ceremony, MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed said the establishment of AIM would directly strengthen and accelerate the company’s efforts to develop a highly skilled workforce specifically suited to the requirements of the national aviation sector. He explained that the institute’s primary mission is to address the technical workforce needs of the aviation industry, reflecting MACL’s long-term commitment to developing specialised personnel capable of supporting increasingly sophisticated airport operations.
Shareef emphasised that MACL’s continued development depends significantly on the knowledge, technical expertise and professional capabilities of its employees. He highlighted the importance of continuously investing in workforce development across all areas of airport operations, particularly as the aviation industry becomes increasingly specialised and service standards continue to advance.
Through AIM, MACL employees will be provided with structured educational and professional development pathways enabling them to obtain recognised qualifications, strengthen their technical competencies and advance their careers while continuing their employment with the company. The institute is expected to support a stronger connection between professional training and operational requirements, allowing employees to develop skills that can be directly applied within the airport environment.
The initiative also complements the Government’s broader emphasis on developing human capital and expanding opportunities for Maldivians to acquire specialised professional and technical skills. Strengthening domestic expertise in aviation is particularly significant for an island nation where air connectivity plays a central role in tourism, economic activity, regional accessibility and the movement of people and essential services.
The launch comes as the Maldives continues to invest substantially in the development of its aviation infrastructure, particularly at Velana International Airport, the country’s principal international gateway. Developing qualified local professionals alongside improvements in physical infrastructure is expected to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the sector while creating greater opportunities for Maldivians to build careers in aviation, airport management, security and other technical disciplines.
A total of 29 students graduated during the ceremony after successfully completing the Certificate Level 3 in Airport Security Management. The programme was developed in accordance with National Qualifications Framework standards approved by the Maldives Qualifications Authority (MQA), ensuring that participants receive training aligned with nationally recognised educational and professional standards.
The course was conducted from 1 June to 9 September 2025 and was specifically designed for new recruits joining MACL’s Estate Security Services. The programme provides participants with essential knowledge and competencies required for airport security operations, contributing directly to strengthening passenger safety and security standards at Velana International Airport.
Airport security remains a critical component of international aviation operations, particularly at a gateway such as Velana International Airport that serves millions of travellers and connects the Maldives with major destinations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and other international markets. By providing specialised training to security personnel, AIM is positioned to support MACL’s efforts to maintain professional operational standards while developing a workforce equipped to respond to the evolving requirements of modern aviation.
Managing Director Shareef presented graduation certificates to the 29 participants, while Dr Shougee presented special recognitions to the highest-performing graduates. The ceremony highlighted both the academic achievements of the inaugural cohort and the broader objective of establishing a sustainable professional training framework within MACL.
In his address, Dr Shougee commended MACL for its commitment to developing an educated and skilled workforce and for contributing to the advancement of technical education and professional training in the Maldives. The involvement of the Maldives National University Chancellor also underscored the importance of strengthening connections between education, professional development and the specialised workforce requirements of key national industries.
Concluding his remarks, Shareef congratulated the graduates on successfully completing their programme and encouraged employees throughout MACL to make full use of the education and professional training opportunities that will become available through the Aviation Institute of Maldives.
The establishment of AIM further strengthens MACL’s institutional capacity to develop expertise internally while creating clearer pathways for professional progression. By combining recognised qualifications with aviation-specific technical training, the institute has the potential to become an important contributor to workforce development across the Maldives’ aviation industry.
As the Government continues to strengthen the country’s transport and aviation infrastructure, the development of qualified local professionals will remain essential to ensuring that these investments are supported by capable and highly trained personnel. AIM is expected to contribute to that objective by preparing a new generation of Maldivian aviation professionals while supporting MACL’s long-term efforts to enhance operational excellence, passenger safety and the quality of services provided at the country’s main international gateway.
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