New runway at Hanimaadhoo Airport to be operational on Sunday

Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) said that the new runway at Hanimaadhoo Airport will be operational from Sunday next week.

According to the company, after completing 1.2 km of the new runway in November last year under the Indian-funded project, it will open that portion, as part of the new runway overlaps with the existing runway.

The Hanimaadhoo Airport currently uses a 600-meter runway. Upon completion of the expansion project, the runway will be expanded to 2.7 km.

The company said that it decided to begin using a portion of the new runway to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the airport.

- Exim Bank of India to finance USD 136 million (MVR 2 billion) for the project

- Once the airport is complete, it will have the capacity to accommodate 1.3 million passengers annually

- The airport will be able to accommodate landings from A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft

As part of the Hanimaadhoo Airport expansion project, facilities including an air traffic control building, a cargo building, and a passenger terminal will be constructed at the airport.