Hanimaadhoo airport operations to shift to new terminal starting Wednesday

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced that operations at Hanimaadhoo International Airport will be relocated to the ground floor of the newly constructed terminal starting Wednesday, October 16.

The move is part of efforts to align the airport’s infrastructure with the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority’s standards, enabling Code C aircraft to utilize the full length of the newly developed runway. MACL stated that in order to meet runway clearance requirements, the existing terminal and adjacent tall structures will be dismantled.

As part of the transition, the airport jetty opposite the current terminal will be decommissioned. Passengers and airport users will temporarily use the Hanimaadhoo port for access and transport services.

The relocation marks a key milestone in the ongoing Hanimaadhoo Airport expansion project, which is being developed under an USD 800 million credit line facilitated by Exim Bank of India and signed by the previous administration in 2019. The project includes a new runway, terminal building, and upgraded facilities aimed at transforming Hanimaadhoo into a regional aviation hub.

During a visit to Hanimaadhoo on August 25, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing and opening the airport by November 2025. The President emphasized that the airport’s development is central to boosting northern connectivity, tourism, and economic growth.