A massive expansion project of Hanimaadhoo International Airport was officially launched on Wednesday night.
It was inaugurated by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the visiting India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
The project will see the development of a 2.46-kilometre runway, while the new terminal is being designed to accommodate 1.3 million passengers annually.
The project was contracted to the India-based firm JMC Projects, and it is being funded through an MVR 2.1 billion (USD 136 million) loan from the Exim Bank of India.
"The historic project is the largest and most significant infrastructure project initiated outside the Malé region," a statement from the President’s Office read.
The new runway is designed to accommodate large aircrafts such as the Airbus 320 and Boeing 737.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, President Solih said that the region would see economic prosperity, enhanced tourism, more job opportunities, and "transform the region into an economic hub" with the development of the airport in Haa Dhaalu atoll.
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