Red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent moon. The closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag. Red recalls those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam.

Flag courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

The Royal Graveyard in Male is near the Grand Friday Mosque and contains the tombs of the country’s heroes and members of royalty.

Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook

Government

According to Britannica, the constitution of the Maldives was adopted in 2008. The head of state and government is the president, assisted by a vice president and a cabinet. The president and vice president are directly elected by universal suffrage to a maximum of two five-year terms. The cabinet consists of the vice president, government ministers, and the attorney general. With the exception of the vice president, members of the cabinet are appointed by the president.

The unicameral legislature, called the People’s Majlis, meets at least three times per year. Its members are elected to five-year terms from Male island and from each of the 20 atoll groups into which the country is divided for administrative purposes. The number of representatives from each administrative division is determined on the basis of population, with a minimum of two per division. The 2008 constitution established Islam as the official state religion. Non-Muslims cannot become citizens, and the People’s Majlis is prohibited from making any law that contravenes the tenets of Islam. Other governmental bodies include civil service and human rights commissions.

The highest legal authority is the Supreme Court. Its judges are appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a body of 10 members appointed or elected from various branches of the government and the general public. The Judicial Service Commission independently appoints all other judges. There are no judicial term limits; the mandatory retirement age is 70. All judges must be Sunni Muslims. The Supreme Court bases decisions upon the constitution and Maldives law; in cases in which applicable law does not exist, Sharīʿah (Islamic law) is considered. Other courts are the High Court and trial courts.

Civil / National Aviation Authority (CAA/NAA)

Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) was established by the Parliament under Act No.02/2012 on 11th January 2012. The CAA aims to develop and administer policies and regulations to ensure safe, secure, orderly and economic development of aviation in the Maldives. CAA places great emphasis on adopting highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation. Their vision is to achieve regulatory excellence in aviation safety and security through a well motivated work force. The main tasks of CAA are setting up national safety standards which are compliant with international standards; economic and safety regulation through regulation of airports, air traffic services and airlines.

Airspace

SkyVector – Google Maps – ADS-B Exchange

ICAO countries publish an Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). This document is divided into three parts: General (GEN), En Route (ENR) and Aerodromes (AD). ENR 1.4 details the types of airspace classes they chose to adopt from classes A through G. Maldives AIP

Drone Regulations

Drone Safety

Drone use is growing at a rapid rate in the Maldives. The CAA Drone Initiative is designed to help you fly drones safely and legally, without endangering others

Get Approval

The many seaplanes that serve over 90+ floating platforms scattered over the country operate under VFR conditions and it is therefore extremely challenging to set up boundaries for recreational drone operations.

Refer to the drone approvals page for more information.

Drone Safety

Follow the following guidelines to help you fly drones safely and legally.

Flying Remotely Piloted Aircraft (Drones) in the Maldives

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Regulations & Policies

None found by the author.

However, should you, the reader, happen to stumble across something to the contrary, please email the author at FISHE5CA@erau.edu and you may be mentioned in the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS section of this book by way of thanks for contributing to this free eBook!

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) News

2024 – Air Chateau, partners to develop vertiport network in Maldives

Short Essay Questions