Agreement signed to build Thinadhoo International Airport

The government has signed an agreement with a Thailand company on Tuesday night to build an international airport in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Thinadhoo.

The agreement was signed during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's current visit to Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll Thinadhoo in his trip to the southernmost four atolls of the country.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib and Thailand's Pan Pacific Company Limited CEO Jirat Petnunthawong.

This investment is worth USD 400 to 600 million.

In last night's function held at Thinadhoo School, Minister Muththalib revealed that the Maldives' government will not be spending on this airport project, and that all costs will be borne by the investor.

"Hence, this is a project carried out under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's innovative finance models that he wishes to introduce to the Maldives, wherein the project presents no financial burden on the State," the Minister said.

Under this agreement, investments will be made into developing tourism industry in Gaafu Dhaalu atoll and other economic activities in addition to construction of the airport in the Thinadhoo lagoon.

Minister Muththalib noted that although the atoll had three airports currently, only three resorts were located in it. This includes 522 beds. Guesthouses in the atoll total at 8, offering 116 beds. Meanwhile, the atoll has 133 uninhabited islands, he observed.

Muththalib inferred that despite being resource rich, the atoll had not seen adequate development as a result of not having received due prioritization from previous governments. Hence, the construction of an additional airport is a step in the right direction when it comes to further developing the atoll, he said.

The Minister stated that the Thinadhoo International Airport would feature runways that can accommodate the largest aircrafts. Additionally, a flying pool, cargo services and a fuel farm will be established there.

Gaafu Dhaalu being a large atoll, a sea plane hub to carry tourists will also be established there, the Minister said. Additionally, he mentioned establishing a deco chamber and air ambulance services.

The Minister further revealed that the contractor has also proposed to build twelve resorts in the area. This would vastly increase the bed capacity in the area and bring significant changes to the atoll, the Minister promised.

"With this project, a large number of beds and resorts are coming to this area. This contractor alone has proposed to build 12 resorts. This is about more than 2400 beds. Therefore this is the largest development project Huvadhoo atoll has received," Minister Muththalib said.

While this government has announced the Thinadhoo International Airport project, the construction of such an airport was initially a presidential pledge by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during last year's presidential campaigns. At the time, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu pledged to further develop the nearby Kaadehdhoo Airport, and to connect Kaadehdhoo and Thinadhoo through a causeway bridge.