The development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport has reached 83 percent completion, according to an update released by the Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL), marking a key milestone in a project expected to transform travel and tourism in the northern atolls.
The project is financed through an USD 800 million line of credit from India’s EXIM Bank, established under an agreement signed with the Maldivian government in 2019. Indian firm JMC Projects, known for its expertise in engineering and large-scale infrastructure works, was awarded the contract to undertake the airport’s construction at a cost of USD 136.6 million.
Once complete, the airport will feature a 2,400-metre runway, a 42,000 square feet apron, a 10,500 square feet passenger terminal capable of handling 1.3 million passengers annually, a 3,800 square feet air traffic control tower, and dedicated facilities such as an arm and fuel jetty.
The Ministry of Infrastructure had previously anticipated that the airport would be completed by March this year. As of July last year, progress stood at 67 percent. The current update shows significant headway towards finalisation, with residents and local businesses hopeful that the airport will soon become operational.
While the northern Maldives boasts numerous resorts and guesthouses, poor air connectivity has long hindered tourism growth in the region. At present, most international tourists must travel through Malé, with domestic airfare to the northern atolls often equivalent to a week’s stay at guesthouses closer to the capital. The new international airport is expected to drastically cut costs and travel time, making the region more accessible to both tourists and investors.
Originally developed under President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom for domestic use, Hanimaadhoo Airport was designated an international airport in 2012. However, international operations were limited to a weekly flight to Trivandrum, India. The latest expansion marks the first large-scale redevelopment effort for the airport since that time and was initiated under the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Residents of Haa Dhaalu and surrounding atolls view the airport as a gateway to long-awaited economic progress and regional development. With construction nearing completion, the anticipation for a fully functional international airport in the north is greater than ever.
