President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the development of L. Kadhdhoo Airport is scheduled to be completed within three years. The statement was made during a meeting with residents of L. Fonadhoo on Monday evening as part of his visit to the inhabited islands of Laamu Atoll.
During the event, several agreements related to infrastructure development in Fonadhoo were formalised, including contracts for a land reclamation and coastal protection project. The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) also formally assumed responsibility for the development and operation of Kadhdhoo Airport.
According to details shared at the meeting, the airport project will involve reclaiming 114 hectares of land for a 2,800-metre runway and an additional 30 hectares to expand Fonadhoo Island, totalling 144 hectares of reclaimed area. The reclamation work is expected to be completed within a year, with the overall project scheduled for completion within 36 months. The President noted that the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) facility in the area would remain in place.
The meeting also included the signing of several other development agreements for Fonadhoo, such as the establishment of a Maldives National University (MNU) campus and MNU Language School, the development of a government office complex, a harbour project, a new sports complex, and the third phase of road construction.
The proposed MNU Language School is expected to offer foreign language programmes designed to improve employment prospects in the tourism sector. The sports complex will include seating for 1,200 spectators and facilities for multiple indoor sports, in line with the standards of the Maldives Centre for Social Education (MCSE) in Malé.
Regarding housing, the President said work is underway to contract the construction of the first 100 housing units out of a pledged total of 500 units for Fonadhoo. He also mentioned plans for a 50-bed hospital funded by the Saudi Fund for Development.
In addition, the Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) is in the process of selecting a contractor for a transhipment harbour that will provide bunkering services.
The President stated that the Government remains focused on supporting economic recovery and plans to meet outstanding payment obligations without monetary expansion. He also said upcoming infrastructure projects would be awarded to private companies, which is expected to contribute to employment and economic activity.
