The Maldivian Airports Company Limited (MACL) has decided to lease space at the new seaplane terminal under development at Malé airport to both Trans Maldivian Airways (TMW, Malé) and Manta Air (NR, Malé), local newspaper The Edition has reported.
Each of the seaplane operators will receive area corresponding to the space they are currently leasing at the old seaplane terminal. The leasing rates will also remain unchanged with initial contracts signed for two years.
The MACL said that any area left at the new terminal will be tendered to airlines through a market-based competitive process. Unspecified provisions will also be made to ensure access for Maldivian (Q2, Malé), the state-owned company that will remain the new terminal's operator.
The new facility has been subject to heated debate after initial reports suggested that TMA could be awarded the contract for its operation.
The existing seaplane terminal will be demolished once the new facility is operational to pave way for the opening of Male airport's new paved runway.
