President Muizzu inaugurates Muli Airport

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has inaugurated Muli Airport, the first in Meemu atoll today.

During the ceremony held at Muli this morning, President Muizzu described the newly inaugurated airport as a “gateway to development” for the wider Mulaku atoll, marking it as a key milestone in his administration’s pledge to bring every residential island within 30 minutes of an airport.

“This airport is more than a piece of infrastructure. It is a symbol of our commitment to decentralized, citizen-focused development,” he said.

The airport, a joint initiative of the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure and the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), was funded by the national budget.

The project dates back to 2014, when President Muizzu, then Minister of Housing, signed the original development agreement.

The contract was renewed in 2024 to expedite construction and begin operations.

President outlined additional projects planned for Muli. Road development work is expected to commence in 2026, while shore protection measures are scheduled to begin next year.

The island’s regional hospital is already under development.

Addressing the island’s housing needs, President Muizzu announced a 300-unit social housing project that he said would encourage inward migration and support population consolidation.

The President also used the occasion to launch the causeway project connecting Muli and nearby Naalaafushi.

Land reclamation and port development works for Naalaafushi have been earmarked in the 2026 national budget.

Emphasizing that his government’s vision is grounded in the people’s aspirations, President Muizzu said the next two years would be “dedicated to citizen-centric, result-driven development.”

“The opening of this airport is only the beginning,” President Muizzu said.