Manta Air has refuted claims that it denied to carry a patient during a medical emergency, on a seaplane operated from Kudahuvadhoo Airport in Dhaalu Atoll.
The statement comes after residents of Kudahuvadhoo heavily protested against the airline on August 1, claiming it had refused to board a critical patient on one of its seaplanes.
Speaking at a press conference, CEO of Manta Air Mohamed Khaleel said there had been no communication of a request to board a patient in a medical emergency on one of its flights. As such, he claimed the airline did not receive any such information from the Kudahuvadhoo Hospital or the relatives of the patient.
Khaleel highlighted that Manta Air has carried patients from Kudahuvadhoo on its flights due to medical emergencies on multiple occasions. However, Khaleel noted this is a major risk as the airline’s seaplanes are not designed to carry stretchers. He noted international aviation laws and regulations do not allow stretchers to be carried on aircraft that do not have a designated stretcher facility. Moreover, Khaleel condemned the unrest created in the Kudahuvadhoo Airport following the incident, which led to disruption of operations at the airport.
Kudahuvadhoo Island Council claimed that there have been difficulties in transferring patients from the island as medical emergencies. As such, the council said some airlines just refuse to carry patients on board.
Manta Air revealed operations at the Kudahuvadhoo Airport were disrupted for five hours due to the unrest caused by the incident and there has been reports of clashes between the public and security officers. Many tourists were stranded at the airport for several hours.
