The Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed has refuted recent rumours of a government plan to lease operations of Hanimaadhoo Airport to a foreign company.
The entire Hanimadhoo modernisation project is expected to be completed by the end of this year as the project entails several other upgrades to the airport.
The project, launched in January 2023, is being executed by JMC Projects, India. Alongside the runway and terminal, construction includes a utility building, fuel farm, and airport jetty.
As the project nears completion, rumours have surfaced that the government is planning to lease airport operations to a foreign firm.
Minister Saeed in a post on social media platform, X, refuted the rumours insisting that no such discussions had taken place during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s recent State visit to Singapore.
The Minister also insisted that the allegations were completely baseless.
The construction of the new runway began in January 2023 as part of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport Redevelopment Project. The runway itself was the first major focus, with a new length of 2,465 meters. However, due to conflicts between the old and new runways, the first phase of the project developed a 1,200-meter section of the new runway, which was opened on January 28 this year.
While the previous runway could accommodate 150-seater aircraft, the new runway is designed to handle larger planes with capacities of 250-300 passengers. The project is valued at USD 136.6 million and is one of the largest in the atolls of the country. The airport is expected to handle up to 1.3 million passengers annually and accommodate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft for international flights, enabling direct routes to Hanimaadhoo from around the world.
The Hanimaadhoo International Airport development is closely linked with the tourism industry and the economy of the atoll, promising significant regional benefits upon completion.
Relevant government agencies are working round the clock to expedite the project, with more than 800 staff working on the airport project.
The structure of the terminal - the design inspired by the Manta Ray at Hanimaadhoo International Airport is almost complete.
The two-storey terminal building’s lowest floor is reserved for domestic flights. The first floor will be used for international flights. The first aero bridge used in an airport in the Atolls will also be located at Hanimadu Airport with two gates on each floor.
Under the second phase of development, a seaplane terminal is also planned for Hanimaadhoo Airport.