Raa Atoll Council to Hold Public Vote on Southern Airport Location

The Raa Atoll Council decided on Thursday to seek public input through a physical vote on where the airport in the southern part of the atoll should be developed.

During the council meeting, nine of the 13 attending members voted in favour of holding an in-person election to gather the views of their constituents. Three of the 16 council members were absent from the meeting.

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The council opted for a physical vote to ensure the integrity of the process, expressing concerns that an online election could allow individuals to cast multiple votes using different email addresses.

Ahmed Hussain, President of the Kinolhas Council, proposed the motion, stressing the importance of involving the public in such a significant decision. As a result, the council agreed to conduct a vote across the entire atoll.

A ballot box will be placed on each inhabited island within the atoll, with an additional ballot box to be set up in Malé, allowing Raa Atoll residents living in the capital to participate in the vote.

In addition to environmental concerns, particularly those raised previously about the development of an airport in Fainu, councillors expressed their desire for an airport that could be upgraded to international standards in the future. They argued that even if the government proceeds with a domestic airport now, the location should have the capacity for future expansion. As the atoll with the third-largest population in the country and a growing local tourism sector, councillors emphasised the importance of planning with long-term development in mind.

Despite the council’s decision to consult the public, the government has already committed to building the airport in Fainu. In February this year, the government signed an agreement with the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) for the project, which is funded by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

The current administration reaffirmed its intention to develop the airport in Fainu, despite ongoing protests from environmental groups and concerned citizens. The previous administration had shelved the plan due to these objections. However, the current administration reversed that decision and moved forward with the original location.

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s government initially planned to construct an airport and a city hotel in Fainu. His successor, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, later shifted the proposed site to Barinyanfaru Atoll during the MDP administration.