Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HIA) was officially inaugurated on Sunday evening, marking an important step in improving infrastructure and air connectivity in the northern Maldives.
The redeveloped airport, located in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, now features a 2,465-metre runway capable of accommodating narrow-body international aircraft, a new passenger terminal spanning over 10,000 square metres, and upgraded facilities to support both passenger and cargo operations.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, who arrived aboard a Maldivian Airbus A320, the largest aircraft to have landed at Hanimaadhoo. Indian Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu also attended the event as the Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, representing the Government of India.
The airport redevelopment project was financed through a USD 136.6 million line of credit from India’s EXIM Bank, part of a broader USD 800 million agreement signed in 2019. It was contracted to India’s JMC Projects Ltd, with construction beginning in early 2023.
Originally opened nearly four decades ago, Hanimaadhoo Airport previously handled only small domestic aircraft. With the latest expansion, it is now equipped with a modern terminal designed to handle up to 1.3 million passengers annually, a fuel farm, a cargo terminal, and an aerobridge, the first of its kind at any airport outside the capital region. The facility also includes an art gallery showcasing Maldivian artists and new ATM and dollar counter services operated by Bank of Maldives.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Muizzu said the airport would help address connectivity challenges faced by the northern atolls. He noted that improved access would encourage investment and tourism in the region, which has long faced higher travel costs and limited transport links compared to the central Maldives.
He also called on both local and foreign investors to explore opportunities in the north, highlighting the potential for economic growth around Hanimaadhoo and neighbouring islands such as Kulhudhuffushi and Ihavandhoo.
The government expects the upgraded airport to support regional commerce by reducing import costs and facilitating direct international access for tourists. President Muizzu added that the project demonstrated the administration’s commitment to completing delayed infrastructure works, noting that much of the construction was accelerated within the past year.
The ceremony included a fireworks display and a tour of the new terminal, operated by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). Senior government officials, foreign dignitaries, and community representatives were also in attendance.
Hanimaadhoo International Airport now stands as one of the Maldives’ largest regional airports and a central component of the government’s decentralisation agenda. By expanding direct air connectivity to the north, the project is expected to play a key role in supporting tourism, trade, and employment across the region.
