Milandhoo Airport crucial for regional Development: President

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu stated today that the airport in Sh. Milandhoo, for which physical work commenced yesterday, is highly significant for the region in terms of both development and economic progress.

During his visit to Shaviyani Atoll, the President officially inaugurated the physical work on the Milandhoo Airport. This airport has been a long-held aspiration for many of the island's residents.

The airport project has been contracted to  Maldives Airports Company Limited(MACL) with a deadline for completion within two and a half years. This will be the fourth airport for the atoll’s residents. An airport is currently operational in Funadhoo, and during the President's current trip, work also commenced on the airports in Bilehfahi and Komandoo.

Speaking to the residents after the inauguration, the President stated that when the people presented the importance of the Milandhoo airport for the area, he understood their perspective. Therefore, he decided that the airport was an essential project for Milandhoo.

According to the President, the decision to begin work on the airport, including the determination of its location, followed consultations and consideration of the most advantageous way to utilize the island's land area.

The President noted that the construction of the airport requires relocating the current harbor to a different area.

"The harbor will need to be relocated; the airport project will proceed inclusive of the harbor relocation. The agreement signed with MACL encompasses all necessary tasks for the construction of the airport," the President said.

This includes reclaiming 40 hectares of land and the relocation of the jetty.

The President stated that the land reclamation work will be completed within a maximum of eight months, starting from today. He also guaranteed that the new harbor would be larger than the existing one.

"Starting from today, within a maximum of 30 months (two and a half years) the airport on this island will be completed and inaugurated, including the relocation of the harbor and the construction of the new harbor," the President pledged.

Even the welcome archway constructed on the island for the President's arrival featured the airport pledge. The biggest promise President Muizzu made to the more than 2,000 residents of the island during the presidential election was to fulfill their request and make the airport a reality.