No More Loans for Pilot Training as Aviation Jobs Dry Up, Says Minister Mohamed Ameen

The Maldivian government has announced a suspension of student loans for pilot training, citing an oversupply of cadet pilots and a sluggish job market in the country’s aviation sector.

Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen made the announcement during an interview on Dhivehiraajjeyge Adu’s Ahahchay Bunaanan programme, where he addressed growing concerns over unemployment among recent aviation graduates.

Cadet Pilots Face Dwindling Job Prospects

According to Minister Ameen, the decision stems from a hard look at the current job landscape. “At present, there are no job openings for cadet pilots in the Maldives,” he said. “No local airline operates with cadet pilots, and international carriers rarely recruit Maldivian graduates without experience.”

He explained that foreign airlines generally prefer seasoned professionals over newly trained cadets, making it difficult for fresh graduates to break into the field.

Adding to the concern, Minister Ameen revealed that the aviation sector in the Maldives is growing at a modest rate of just 7% annually — not nearly fast enough to accommodate the influx of trained pilots.

Hundreds Trained, Few Employed

Over the past six years, the country has produced approximately 20 to 22 cadet pilots annually, primarily through domestic airlines such as Maldivian and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA). However, many of these graduates remain unemployed, and some have had to seek work outside aviation, including in the tourism sector.

The Minister emphasized that while these students were often high achievers, they were not always made aware of the industry’s employment limitations. “We believe it is our responsibility to provide realistic information to students and parents about job prospects,” he said.

Under the previous administration, around 500 students received government-backed loans to pursue pilot training, with an additional 200 funding their studies independently. But the industry, Minister Ameen noted, simply cannot absorb that many graduates.

Shifting Focus to Priority Sectors

“In light of these realities, the government will no longer offer student loans for cadet pilot training,” Ameen announced. “Instead, we’re redirecting resources to sectors that are vital for national development, where demand for skilled professionals is stronger.”

He also acknowledged that some airline operators are already carrying more pilots than they currently need, having hired beyond demand in an attempt to absorb the growing number of pilot graduates.

While the government will not interfere with individual scholarship choices, Minister Ameen said students were given the option last year to switch to alternative fields with financial support and family consultations. Many have taken that route.

The news comes as a sobering reality check for aspiring pilots and their families. While the aviation dream is still alive for many, the government’s new stance is a reminder of the need to align educational investments with market demand.

“It’s not about discouraging ambition,” Ameen said. “It’s about making informed, sustainable choices for the future of our youth and the nation.”

@maldivesmatters

Too Many Pilots, No Jobs: Maldives Halts Flight Training Loans ✈️🇲🇻 Hundreds of Maldivian students trained to fly, but most never made it to the cockpit. With a saturated job market, the government has stopped giving student loans for pilot training. 🎓💼 #FutureReady #JobMarketReality #MaldivesNews

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