Eight parties shortlisted for developing Hanimaadhoo Airport

Ministry of Transport reports that they have shortlisted eight parties from 19 parties who have expressed interest to develop Hanimaadhoo Airport to an International Airport.

According to today’s news brief, there was a meeting for the parties to give information on the airport development plan. This meeting was held in the president’s office.

Ministry of Transport has said that 23 people representing the eight parties participated in the meeting. Ministry of Transport says that the work will be awarded to the party with the best proposal.

Previously also the government tried to find a party for developing Hanimaadhoo Airport in Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis.

The government has previously signed an MOU on 5th November 2009 with GMR, the Indian operator of Malé International Airport, but due to some misunderstandings the MOU has been abolished.

According to the Ministry of Transport, the airport will be developed in three phases. In the first phase the airport will be made an International airport that has the capacity to cater the small aircrafts. In the second phase the airport can handle A 320 aircrafts. And in the third phase it will be able to cater Boeing 400 – 747 aircrafts.