Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL) has assumed operational control of Dharavandhoo Airport and commenced a terminal development project aimed at expanding capacity and improving passenger handling in Baa Atoll.
The handover formalises IASL’s role as both airport operator and airline serving the airport, aligning operations under a single entity. The agreement was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and IASL, marking a shift intended to streamline airport management and connectivity.
The terminal project will increase the airport’s built-up area from 959 square metres to 1,874 square metres, with upgrades planned across arrival, departure, check-in, and baggage processing areas. Dharavandhoo Airport currently accommodates more than eight daily flights, serving both residents and tourists travelling to nearby resorts and guesthouses within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Planned improvements include an expanded arrival hall with a baggage conveyor system, an upgraded check-in area with self-service kiosks, and a larger departure hall equipped with modern security screening and three boarding gates. Passenger handling capacity in the departure area is expected to increase from 80 to over 175. Additional enhancements include a larger baggage sorting area and dedicated facilities for families.
An executive lounge is also being introduced as part of the redevelopment. The facility will offer seating for more than 75 passengers, along with refreshment services, targeting travellers seeking additional comfort prior to departure.
The project forms part of a broader government initiative to strengthen regional aviation infrastructure and support connectivity to tourism zones. IASL’s dual role is expected to provide operational alignment between airline services and airport management, particularly as Maldivian operates multiple daily flights to and from Dharavandhoo.
Dharavandhoo Airport, which opened in 2012, serves as a key domestic gateway to Baa Atoll, including areas such as Hanifaru Bay. The expansion is positioned to accommodate growing passenger demand while maintaining domestic air links across the atoll.
