Over 80 Percent of Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Completed, Says RACL

The Regional Airports Company Limited (RACL) has announced that 83 percent of the international airport under development in HDh. Hanimaadhoo has now been completed. This marks a significant milestone in a key infrastructure project for the northern region of the Maldives.

The project is being financed through an USD 800 million line of credit provided by India’s EXIM Bank under a 2019 agreement with the Maldivian government. The construction work was contracted to India’s JMC Projects for USD 136.6 million. The company is known for its experience in large-scale engineering and construction projects.

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Once complete, the airport will feature a 2,400-metre runway, a 42,000 square feet apron, a 10,500 square feet passenger terminal, a 3,800 square feet air traffic control tower, and an arm and fuel jetty. The terminal will have the capacity to serve up to 1.3 million passengers annually.

According to RACL, the airport’s development has moved steadily forward. In July last year, the Ministry of Infrastructure reported that the project was 67 percent complete and expected to finish by March this year. While the timeline has shifted, the latest update reflects continued progress towards completion.

The airport is seen as a crucial element in addressing the connectivity challenges faced by the northern atolls. Despite the presence of several resorts and guesthouses in the region, the high cost and inconvenience of travelling via Malé has discouraged tourism development. For many visitors, the cost of a domestic flight from Malé to northern islands such as Hanimaadhoo can rival a week’s accommodation near the capital.

Once operational, the airport is expected to improve direct international access to the northern Maldives, making it a more attractive destination for tourists and investors alike. This, in turn, is anticipated to boost the local economy and support long-term regional development.

The initiative was launched under the administration of former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The Hanimaadhoo Airport, originally developed during former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s tenure, was initially used for domestic services. It was upgraded to international status in 2012 but has since operated limited international flights, primarily a weekly connection to Trivandrum, India.

Residents of northern islands continue to await the full completion of the project, viewing it as essential to unlocking the region’s development potential.