News Desk
The Ministry of Defence has issued a public information note outlining the legal framework governing Maldives’ maritime zones and airspace, citing key international conventions and domestic law.
In a post shared on X, the Ministry highlighted that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines the maritime territories of states and sets out their rights and responsibilities within those areas. The Ministry also referred to Act No. 6/96, which establishes the maritime zones of the Maldives and affirms that the land beneath these waters and the airspace above them fall under full Maldivian sovereignty.
According to the Ministry, this includes the inland sea, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, the seabed beneath these zones and the airspace connected to them.
The statement further referenced the Convention on International Civil Aviation, known as the Chicago Convention, which sets the rules governing international air navigation. Under this convention, the airspace above a country’s territorial sea is considered sovereign airspace, and foreign aircraft must obtain clearance before entering it. Airspace beyond this zone is classified as international airspace.
The Ministry also explained the role of Flight Information Regions (FIRs), which are designated to ensure the safety and security of air traffic. While aircraft do not require permission from a state to enter an FIR located in international airspace, air traffic control authorities continue to monitor and share information on such flights for safety purposes.
The clarification comes amid heightened public interest in airspace regulations and the distinction between sovereign airspace and international flight corridors. The Ministry said the information was shared to provide clear guidance on which areas require prior permission for entry.
