Management of Thimarafushi Airport to be handed over to Island Aviation

Regional Airports has said that it has been decided to hand over the management of the new domestic airport in Thaa Thimarafushi, to Island Aviation.

Director General of Regional Airports Saamee Ageel said that the airport will be completed by 25 August, and efforts are under way to officially inaugurate the airport around 30 August.

“The major work related to the runway, the temporary terminal, and fences have been completed. The airport will fit the Civil Aviation standards,” he said.

Saamee said that Thimarafushi Airport does not yet have an air traffic control tower, but the tower will be constructed along with a permanent terminal.

“A tower is not that important at the moment. Security and everything else will be completed by inauguration,” he said.

Abdul Haris, Managing Director of the state aviation company said that efforts are under way to hire staff for the airport.

“Efforts to hire employees have been divided into several phases. Everything will be in place by the time the airport is opened. Just like Dharavandhoo Airport, everything will be managed by this company,” he said.

Haris said that initially, two flights will be operated weekly to Thimarafushi Airport after it is opened.