The Maldives on Tuesday officially celebrated the completion of the Maafaru International Airport upgrade project with the arrival of a wide-body aircraft operated by national airline Maldivian. The aircraft, an A330, was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute, marking the operational readiness of the expanded runway and upgraded facilities.
The event was attended by senior government officials and international partners, including Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr Abdulla Muththalib, UAE Ambassador Sheikh Rahma bin Abdulrahman Al Shamsi, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, and Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL) Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas.
Funded by the United Arab Emirates through the ADFD, the Maafaru International Airport project was completed in two phases, with a total investment exceeding USD 76 million. The first phase, initiated in January 2018 and completed in December 2019, included the construction of a 2,200-metre runway, a passenger terminal building, a VIP lounge, fire and rescue station, control tower, and a jetty for passenger transport.
Phase two involved extending the runway by an additional 650 metres, bringing the total length to 2,850 metres, enabling the airport to accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777-ER300 and large international charter flights. The second phase also included the reclamation of over one million cubic metres of land, the construction of a 5,700-metre revetment, and upgrades to taxiways, airfield lighting, boundary fencing, and asphalt surfacing. This phase was completed in December 2024.
Since opening to commercial operations in late 2019, Maafaru has quickly grown into a key gateway for northern Maldives. Located approximately 180 kilometres north of Malé, the airport has recorded over 9,000 flight movements and more than 3,000 international flights between 2019 and June 2025. During this time, it has served over 250,000 passengers across domestic, charter, private jet, and seaplane operations, becoming the second busiest airport in the country.
Operated by IASL, Maafaru International Airport plays a critical role in supporting the tourism industry in Noonu Atoll, which boasts the highest number of high-end resorts in the Maldives, with eight resorts and 14 guest houses currently in operation. A dedicated Jet A-1 fuel farm, commissioned in 2023, supports the airport’s operational efficiency and independence, while a seaplane dock enhances onward connectivity to nearby resorts.
Looking ahead, IASL has announced further expansion plans, including the development of a seaplane hub, an increase in fuel farm capacity, and the initiation of direct international passenger flight operations from Maafaru. A new terminal expansion project is also underway, which will feature a passenger lounge and a city hotel to accommodate increasing demand.
The successful completion of the Maafaru upgrade project is regarded as a major milestone in the government’s broader strategy to modernise aviation infrastructure, promote regional development, and generate new economic opportunities across the country.
