Physical works on Hanimaadhoo Airport project, valued at MVR 2B, inaugurated

Physical works on HDh. Hanimaadhoo Airport development project was officially inaugurated on Wednesday night.

The project was inaugurated during a special ceremony at Hanimadhoo by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail also attended the ceremony.

Hanimaadhoo Airport Development Project was awarded to India’s JMC Projects Limited on August 11, 2022 for USD 136.6 million (MVR 2.1 billion).

The project financed by Line of Credit from India’s EXIM Bank executed between the Government of Maldives the Bank in 2019 – comprises of a scope of a 2.46-kilometer new runway and a terminal with an annual capacity of 1.3 million passengers.

Economic Ministry revealed that by the end of the project, the airport will be able to accommodate large commercial aircrafts including Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. The airport will also provide a direct getaway for flights from South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Africa. The development of Hanimadhoo International Airport is one the most important projects initiated by the administration of President Solih and marks as the largest project carried out in the Maldives outside of Male’ area to date.

The government has previously stated that the project is an important one being carried out under its policy to develop northern Maldives as the main economic hub.

Economic Ministry said that the airport will reach completion and begin operations in 2024.