Current govt expedited Hanimaadhoo Airport to 72 percent completion: Shareef

MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Mohamed Shareef stated last night that the current government had expedited the speed of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport project, even though it is currently at 72 percent completion.

During the inauguration of the airport last night after being modernized, Shareef stated that the government handing over the operations of the airport to MACL is akin to handing them the "key to northern development". He also said that this would bring about an "awe inspiring" amount of economic benefit to the entirety of Thiladhunmathi.

"We will build a much happier future with this jewel. A larger and more joyful Thiladhunmathi," said Shareef.

Shareef stated that when the current government took office on 17th November 2023, the Hanimaadhoo Airport project was only at 28 to 30 percent of completion.

"Some people may see it differently, but when such a large facility is being built, it is a part of the project to include everything that allows it to operate properly. When we were handed the project, the passenger terminal, cargo terminal, jetty, fire station and powerplant were all unfinished," said Shareef.

"President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu assisted in the progression of so many things in such a short time. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart."

Shareef went on to say that the airport was inaugurated last night due to the hard work of Regional Airports Company (RACL, who had operated the airport previously and is now under MACL), Construction Minister Dr. Abdullah Muththalib and his team.

"I am certain that we would not have been able to complete around 72 percent of the work in such a short time without the assistance of the minister and his team," said Shareef.

President Muizzu spoke at last night's ceremony, stating that the Hanimaadhoo International Airport project will boost northern tourism, economy and development, with the government speaking on this while bringing about results.

"As the MD had just highlighted, the airport was at around 30 percent completion. A lot of work was expedited, with the Maldivian government cooperating with a contractor from the Indian government to get the airport to 70 percent completion until now. The reason why the project was hastened and finished as per my pledge is to allow economic opportunities to take hold for residents in this island, atoll and region at a quicker pace," said the President.

The Hanimaadhoo Airport project; financed through an Indian line of credit and developed by Kalpataru Projects — is one of the largest airport infrastructure projects in Maldives. The project was handed over in September 2022.

It includes a 2.7 km runway, a new terminal capable of handling 1.3 million passengers annually, an air traffic control tower, cargo facilities, and a fuel farm.

The runway, developed to handle the largest airplanes landing and taking off, was completed last year.

The USD 136 million (MVR 2 billion) project is part of India’s USD 800 million Exim Bank line of credit facility.