Transport Minister, Fuvahmulah City Agree on Plans to Expand Airport and Strengthen Transport Network

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen has held discussions with the Fuvahmulah City Council on expanding the services of the Fuvahmulah Airport and strengthening the city's transport network. The meeting took place during the Minister’s ongoing visit to the city.

The meeting was attended by the Mayor of Fuvahmulah City, Ismail Rafeeq and council members. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and the Fuvahmulah City Council outlining measures to improve the quality of transport services available to residents.

In a social media post following the meeting, the Minister said that the meeting with the Fuvahmulah City Council focused on the expansion of Fuvahmulah Airport’s services and further strengthening of land and sea transport services. These are part of efforts in alignment with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s vision to strengthen transport networks across the Maldives, he said. These initiatives will improve the transportation services available to the people and bring broader benefits to the entire city, he added.

The Fuvahmulah Airport is currently operated by the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). A team from MACL, including the company's Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, visited the island earlier on 6 September to inspect the airport and hold talks with the City Council. The meeting discussed operational challenges, resource and equipment requirement, as well as the need for a detailed study of the airport’s current condition.

MACL and the City Council also exchanged views on modernising airport services. Developed and opened in November 2011, the airport currently uses a 1,200-metre runway.

Studies conducted last year explored possible upgrades to the airport, including extending the runway to 1,800 metres to enable jet landings, expanding the passenger terminal, and developing a dedicated tourism area.