Transport Minister Mohamed Amin revealed that more than 200 trained pilots in the Maldives are currently unemployed, highlighting a significant imbalance in the aviation sector’s training and employment capacity.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President’s Office, Minister Amin addressed the critical issue of pilot oversupply, stating he had previously advocated against allowing large numbers of students to pursue pilot training simultaneously.
“Throughout my aviation career, I have never witnessed cadet pilots finding employment in foreign countries after completing their training,” Amin stated, explaining that most nations prioritize their own citizens due to similar backlogs of qualified pilots. “Many countries have implemented legislation restricting airlines from hiring non-citizens precisely because of this oversupply.”
The Minister emphasized that while pilot licenses can be obtained through flight schools, these qualifications alone do not make graduates immediately employable. “When someone completes flight school, they are merely cadet pilots, and airlines cannot operate with just these inexperienced personnel,” he explained.
Amin criticized previous administration decisions that allowed approximately 500 individuals to pursue pilot training over the past three years, calling it politically motivated despite an existing surplus of 200 trainees. This decision has exacerbated the employment crisis in the sector.
The limited employment capacity of the Maldivian aviation industry presents a significant challenge. The country’s two main airlines—TMA and Maldivian—collectively generate only about 25 job openings annually, far below the number needed to absorb newly trained pilots.
“We’re working to expand both Maldivian and TMA to increase their intake capacity,” said Amin. “However, there are limits to what we can achieve.” The government is also arranging loans and counseling families of prospective students about alternative career paths, with some students having already switched courses last year.
Many qualified pilots have been forced to seek employment in unrelated sectors, including the hospitality industry and other fields. Minister Amin acknowledged that while expanding the aviation sector proportionate to the country’s size might offer a long-term solution, this would be a “slow process” requiring substantial time and resources.
The situation underscores the need for better alignment between educational opportunities and job market requirements in specialized fields like aviation in the Maldives.
