Hanimaadhoo International Airport Expansion Project Inaugurates

Last night, the President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar inaugurated the Hanimaadhoo International Airport expansion project. The inauguration ceremony was held at Hanimaadhoo Island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

The monumental project is the largest and most noteworthy infrastructure development project initiated outside the Male’ region. The expansion is funded through an MVR 2.1 billion loan from the Exim Bank of India and has been contracted to the Indian-based firm JMC Projects.

Speaking at the function, the President noted that the airport expansion project is laying the groundwork for a transformative change to Boduthiladhunmathi, one where economic prosperity is irrefutable. The development of the airport combined with the upgrades ongoing at Kulhudhuffushi Regional Port and the connectivity facilitated through the Raajje Transport Link (RTL) high-speed ferry services will all amount to the demonstration of a perfect model of a thriving economy.

Elaborating on this, President Solih stated that once the expansion project is completed it would lead to an increase in tourism activity in the region with the wide establishment of tourism facilities such as guesthouses and city hotels. Moreover, it would create hundreds of job opportunities in the region, ultimately making the northern atolls an economic hub in the future.

Under this project, the contractor is tasked with the development of a new 2460 m long runway and accompanying facilities to accommodate large aircraft. The passenger terminal built under this project will have the capacity to cater to 1.3 million passengers annually.

The function was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Senior government officials and members of the Maldivian Parliament as well as executives from India. The Maldives has been carrying out various developmental projects with the assistance of the government of India. During the official visit of the External Minister, an agreement to build the Felivaru Cold Storage Complex and 3 MoUs were signed.