MACL to complete Nilandhoo airport within two and a half years

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has been handed the contract for the construction of the airport in Faafu atoll Nilandhoo this Saturday.

The work was handed over to MACL at a ceremony held at Nilandhoo during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's current visit to the atolls.

The agreement was signed by Finance Minister Moosa Zameer and MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed.

Sharing further details of the project with the people, the President indicated that land reclamation is nearing completion to build a 1,500-meter runway for the airport's development. MTCC has also been awarded the contract to dredge an additional 300 meters of land, he said.

Therefore, the project will dredge enough land to build a 1,800-meter runway, he said.

He said MACL was awarded the contract to develop and operate the airport. The company will build a state-of-the-art airport in Nilandhoo, he said.

The President said that the Nilandhoo airport is essential for the development of the atoll, not just Nilandhoo.

MTCC was awarded the contract for the construction of the Nilandhoo airport on March 27, 2024. The work was handed over to be completed within 390 days.

An airport is being built in Nilandhoo as part of the government's policy to establish a domestic airport within a maximum distance of 30 minutes from any residential island, resort or industrial area.

Former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration also budgeted for the construction of an airport in Nilandhoo but the work was not carried on.