The government has announced that the third airport for Raa Atoll will be built in R. Fainu, despite differences risen among the islands over the location of the airport in the southern part of Raa Atoll.
The government has announced that the third airport for Raa Atoll will be built in Fainu, despite differences among the islands over the location of the airport in the southern part of Raa Atoll.
Fainu has been included in the resolution issued by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu yesterday to build nine more airports in the Maldives. The construction of the airport in Fainu was a presidential promise.
During the presidential campaign, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated that the construction of the airport in Fainu will be in line with former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's vision. The residents of Inguraidhoo also want the airport to be built at the nearby Fainu.
President of Inguraidhoo Council Mohamed Jameel said that the people of Inguraidhoo want the airport to be built in Fainu, and it is a matter of great hope that the airport will become a reality. However, this is a major difference of opinion among the southern islands of Raa Atoll.
During the president's visit to Raa Atoll after assuming power, some islands demanded that the decision to build an airport in Fainu be reversed, advocating instead for the airport to be constructed in Beriyan Faru Falhu as decided by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. During the meeting held with the Council in R. Meedhoo, the President was requested to build the airport in Beriyan Faru.
"Raa South Airport is expected to become one of the busiest operational airports in the country due to the concentration of resorts in the southern region of Raa Atoll, totaling 14-15 resorts, along with those in the northern Baa Atoll. Taking into account the population of inhabited islands and other contributing factors, the construction of Raa South Beriyan Faru Airport promises to significantly boost operational activity, thereby fostering a stronger economy," stated Hassan Shareef, President of Meedhoo Council.
With the government's plans to construct an airport at Fainu, concerns have emerged regarding the island's capacity for international-level development. However, the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has opted to build the airport in the southern corner of Raa, where ample land is available through the reclamation of Beriyan Faru.
Beriyan Faru, known for its ecological richness, has become a focal point of opposition to the airport construction. Despite objections, the previous government proceeded with the project, aiming to minimize environmental impact.
During the tenure of former President Abdulla Yameen, Island Aviation Service was contracted to build the airport in Fainu. However, the project was halted due to protests from the opposition MDP and environmental activists, who warned of the island's potential disappearance and the loss of large trees and natural soil.
President Dr. Muizzu's commitment to the Fainu airport and his visit to Raa Atoll have sparked protests against its construction.
Raa Atoll already hosts two airports: Ifuru Airport, inaugurated during former President Abdulla Yameen's tenure, and Alifushi Airport, initiated by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's government but remains incomplete.
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted during Yameen's presidency revealed that 5,792 trees would need to be felled for the development project, representing 38 percent of the island's tree area. Such extensive deforestation could negatively affect the water table and temperature of the island, with the greatest environmental impact being the loss of numerous trees.
The trees targeted for removal include Nika and Funa trees, with the 20 Nika trees on the island currently standing at 20 meters in height and expected to grow up to 30 meters. These trees are anticipated to remain for hundreds of years. However, eight of these trees lie within the designated construction area and therefore need to be felled.
Sign In