Ready to develop Kaadedhdhoo Airport, but open to state takeover: Qasim

Qasim Ibrahim, Chairman of Villa Air, stated last night that the company intends to develop Kaadedhdhoo Airport in Gaafu Alifu Atoll to international standards but will leave it in a way that will not incur damage to the company if the state decides to take over.

Villa Air was first awarded the airport in 2013 for a period of 50 years. However, in January 2017, then-President Abdulla Yameen's government canceled the agreement and seized the airport.

The Civil Court ruled in 2018 to return the airport to Villa, a decision later upheld by the High Court and the Supreme Court. As a result, the airport was handed back to Villa Air in March 2022.

Since then, the airport's condition has significantly deteriorated, leading Parliament's Committee on Economic Affairs to launch an investigation.

Qasim, who also serves as the MP for Maamigili, stated that the airport was badly deteriorated when Villa regained control. The company has since repaired the runway and replaced the airport’s generator twice, he said.

He acknowledged that Villa Air has been affected by the post-pandemic global economic slowdown and is doing everything possible to sustain operations. Despite these efforts, the airport continues to run at a significant loss.

"The truth is that we receive very little. We don’t even get half of what we should. We have to spend more than MVR 1 million every month because of not getting it," Qasim said.

Villa Air aims to develop the airport to international standards, including extending the runway to at least 2,400 meters. Qasim said that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has expressed a similar interest in developing the airport, and Villa Air is willing to cooperate.

"The President has mentioned twice that he would like to develop it into an international airport. I told him that we are ready to work on it. I will do it, no doubt," he said.

However, he highlighted the company’s financial challenges, adding that if the government wishes to take over the airport again, he will not oppose it.

"If the government wants a certain approach we are ready to let it go if it is reasonable and harmless to us," he said.

Qasim also pointed out that the government previously "snatched" the airport after Villa had already secured investors, which hindered development plans.

"We had the idea of developing an international airport, but the government took it away from us time and again. How can we achieve our goals if we are repeatedly disrupted?" he said.

Despite these challenges, Qasim asserted that Villa Air has the capability to develop the airport efficiently and at the lowest cost.

The company took over airport operations in 2022 with a plan to transform it into an international airport within seven years.