Government Targets November Completion for Hanimaadhoo International Airport Project

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the government aims to complete the ongoing development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport in Haa Dhaalu Atoll by November this year. Speaking at a meeting with Hanimaadhoo residents on Sunday night, the President assured that the airport would be fully prepared for international operations by the deadline.

Dr. Muizzu revealed that additional financial services will be introduced at the airport to ease travel for passengers. He said a Bank of Maldives (BML) counter will be set up at the terminal, enabling travelers to purchase dollars before departure. Plans are also underway to install a dollar ATM in the island, along with rufiyaa ATMs operated by BML and Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB).

Hanimaadhoo Airport is one of the largest infrastructure projects currently underway in the Maldives. According to Housing and Infrastructure Minister Dr. Abdullah Muttalib, 88.7 percent of the project had been completed as of July, with the ministry initially targeting September for full completion.

The $136 million (MVR 2 billion) project is being financed under India’s $800 million Line of Credit through Exim Bank. Awarded in September 2022 to India’s GMC company—now renamed Kalpataru Projects—the development involves a 2.7-kilometer runway, a new passenger terminal with an annual capacity of 1.3 million passengers, an air traffic control tower, a cargo facility, and a fuel farm.

Once operational, the upgraded airport will be capable of handling wide-body aircraft and is expected to boost tourism and economic opportunities across the northern Maldives.