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President officially inaugurates Hoarafushi airport development project

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has officially inaugurated the project to develop an airport in Hoarafushi, as part of his ongoing visit to some northern islands.

During the inauguration ceremony, President Solih said the airport development project in Hoarafushi in Haa Alifu Atoll will be made a reality, expressing hope the project will boost tourism in the atoll. Moreover, he visited Hoarafushi Airport site and inspected the progress of the project.

On March 26, the government contracted Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to develop an airport in Hoarafushi. The previous administration planned to develop an airport in Maafinolhu, an uninhabited island that lies in the same lagoon as Hoarafushi. However, the current administration decided to develop the airport in Hoarafushi, as part of the efforts to maintain the greenery of the islands, without destroying the delicate environment for developmental projects.

The airport is to be developed in an area of 16 hectares and would have a 1.2 kilometre runway. The project is expected to cost over USD 4 million and will be funded from the state budget.