Historic day for Maafaru: First Boeing 777 lands

A Boeing 777 has landed for the first time at Maafaru International Airport, marking a historic milestone for the Maldives' most prominent airport for private jets.

The Emirates Boeing 777 touched down as part of the airport’s certification process to evaluate its readiness to handle widebody aircraft yesterday.

Maafaru Airport, which opened in December 2019, is located near some of the country's most luxurious resorts and plays a key role in connecting high-end tourism to the region.

The certification process assessed:

- The runway's capacity for safe landings and take-offs

- Ground handling operations including refueling, passenger services, and cargo handling

- Navigation and air traffic control systems in line with international aviation standards

According to Aviators Maldives, the successful landing of the Boeing 777 not only strengthens Maafaru Airport's status as an aviation hub but also marks a significant step toward full certification for widebody operations.

Maafaru Airport is operated by Island Aviation and was built with the support of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Although international flights were suspended in May last year for upgrades, they resumed in October.

One of the most notable upgrades is the runway extension from 2.2 km to 2.8 km allowing the airport to accommodate large aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A380.

This development is expected to significantly boost tourism to Noonu Atoll by improving access for international travelers, reducing travel time, and facilitating smoother logistics for both passengers and cargo.