Aviation authority fines Asian Academy of Aeronautics

The Civil Aviation Authority of Maldives has stated that the Asian Academy of Aeronautics (AAA) run in Addu City has been fined for maintenance standard violations. 

The CAA said that the flying school in Addu City, which is on the receiving end of extreme criticism due to alleged mistreatment of students, was fined MVR 35,000.

A CAA official confirmed that the AAA was fined under enforcement regulations. Under the law, the school could have faced a fine with a maximum of MVR 100,000.

The CAA said that the fine for repeated violations and first instance violations was different, which is why the school was fined MVR 35,000 this time. 

Several state institutions such as the Higher Education Ministry, Transport Authority, and CAA had notified and ordered the school to amend its policies. CAA inspectors had also been involved in resolving difficulties faced by students of the school. 

A CAA official said, “The inspectors will look into the issues that AA was notified to amend. Whether they are working on it as per the timeline provided. How the AAA responds to student complaints, they will supervise.” 

Long overdue issues of discrimination towards students, especially local students, difficulties in aircraft arrangements and maintenance, shortage of instructors and training program issues, as well as prolonged courses with extra expenses had shattered the public image of the AAA.

Transport Minister Aishath Nahula and Higher Education Minister Dr. Hassan Ibrahim have recently stated that students whose courses were disrupted due to the misconduct of the AAA will be arranged education from abroad to complete their courses.