The government has allocated a large number of funds from next year's Public Service Investment Programme (PSIP) budget to airport development projects.
The proposed state budget for 2022 shows a large amount of the funds for next year's PSIP budget has been allocated to solving the challenges in travelling in the country. As such, around USD 113 million has been allocated for transport-related projects, which is 27% of the PSIP budget. Most of the travel-related projects are airport development projects.
Furthermore, USD 36 million from the Saudi Fund, Abu Dhabi Fund, Kuwait Fund, and OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) has been allocated for the development of the Velana International Airport (VIA) while USD 8 million has been allocated for the development of domestic airports.
Additionally, the Addu International Airport (AIA) development project will be funded under the line of credit issued by the EXIM Bank of India. The development of the airport in Maafaru, Noonu Atoll, will be funded with USD 104,000 from the Abu Dhabi fund and USD 2 million from the state budget.
Various projects are currently ongoing in order to fulfil the government's pledge to make airports accessible within 30 minutes for citizens living in all parts of the country. As such, fieldwork has begun for the development of airports in Muli, Meemu Atoll, and Faresmaathodaa, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, while a survey is being conducted for the airport development project in Alifushi, Raa Atoll.