Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has confirmed that the Hanimaadhoo International Airport redevelopment project is progressing as planned. The Minister made this announcement following his visit to the airport on Saturday to inspect the ongoing works.
The redevelopment project, managed by Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL), commenced in January 2023. According to RACL’s Managing Director Ahmed Mubeen, the project is set to be completed by March 2025. Notably, the construction of the new runway has been fully completed and is set to open for operations on 23rd June.
The airport development includes the construction of a 2.46 km runway, designed to accommodate larger aircraft such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. Initially, a 2,465m runway was established. Due to land constraints, only 1,200 metres of the new runway and the previous runway were operationalised on 28th January 2024, after the completion of the initial phase. With the remaining 1,200 metres now completed, preparations are underway to ready the runway for flight operations.
RACL has stated that all final preparations are ongoing for the official opening of the airport. Once fully developed, the airport will have the capacity to cater to 1.5 million passengers annually and will operate 24 hours a day.
The development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport is closely linked with the tourism industry and the economic growth of the atoll, promising significant regional benefits upon completion. The project is expected to enhance connectivity and support the expansion of tourism in the northern Maldives, contributing to overall economic development.
Minister Ameen’s visit and the subsequent confirmation of the project’s timely progress highlight the government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s aviation infrastructure, ensuring that it meets international standards and supports the growing demands of the tourism sector.
