Hanimaadhoo International Airport Receives First Commercial Jet Since Reopening

Hanimaadhoo International Airport welcomed its first commercial jet on Friday morning, marking a milestone since the airport’s redevelopment and reopening last month. 

The aircraft, carrying eight tourists from Paraguay, landed at the northern Maldives airport before the passengers continued to Hideaway Beach Resort and Spa in Haa Alifu Atoll.

While private jets have previously used Hanimaadhoo for refuelling, this was the first commercial flight to carry passengers. Operated by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which also manages Velana International Airport, the newly reopened terminal is designed to reflect the natural beauty, lifestyle, and culture of the Maldives.

The redevelopment, funded through an Indian loan, is one of the largest airport projects in the country. It includes a 2.7-kilometre runway, a terminal with an annual capacity for 1.3 million passengers, an aero bridge, duty-free lounges, a new air traffic control tower, a cargo building, a fuel farm, and a seaplane jetty. The airport is capable of accommodating up to 15 jets simultaneously.

The project cost USD 136 million (MVR 2 billion) and was financed under an USD 800 million line of credit from Exim Bank of India.