News Desk
HANIMAADHOO, Maldives — On Sunday night, the roar of a Maldivian A320 broke through the skies above Haa Dhaalu Atoll, marking the arrival of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, and a high-level delegation. As the aircraft descended onto the newly paved 2,465-meter runway of Hanimaadhoo International Airport, it was met with a ceremonial water salute. The pilot, a native of Hanimaadhoo, brought the plane home to a jubilant crowd, capping a milestone moment in Maldivian aviation history.
The inauguration of Hanimaadhoo International Airport marks a transformative chapter for the northern Maldives. With a price tag of USD 136.6 million and the distinction of being the first atoll airport in the country equipped with an aero bridge, the project is more than an infrastructure upgrade. It is a symbol of regional empowerment, international cooperation, and a promise fulfilled.
“This is more than just an airport,” President Muizzu declared in his keynote address. “It is a gateway to development for the people of the region. I said I would accelerate this project, and that promise has now been fulfilled.”
The airport’s terminal spans 10,380 square meters and is designed to handle 1.3 million passengers annually. Its layout separates domestic and international operations across two levels, each with two gates. The apron accommodates up to nine aircraft simultaneously, including three Airbus and six ATR planes. A modern cargo terminal and air traffic control tower complete the facility, which is inspired by the natural beauty of the Maldives.
The Hanimaadhoo International Airport redevelopment project was first launched in January 2023 under the administration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, marking a strategic investment in northern Maldives infrastructure. The inauguration ceremony was attended by India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, who underscored the significance of the initiative as part of India’s broader USD 800 million line of credit to the Maldives.
The project was executed by India’s JMC Projects, a testament to the enduring partnership between the Maldives and India. Indian Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, attending as the special envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscored the significance of this collaboration.
“India stands ready to work hand in hand in expanding trade and investment corridors,” he said. “The Hanimaadhoo International Airport project represents not only a milestone of infrastructural progress, but also a testament to the enduring partnership between India and the Maldives.”
The airport is already drawing regional attention. Trivandrum International Airport in India has included Hanimaadhoo in its winter schedule, signaling the start of direct international connectivity between northern Maldives and southern India. This move is expected to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties between the two nations.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Cabinet Ministers, Indian High Commissioner G. Balasubramanian, Indian and Maldivian dignitaries, and hundreds of local residents. Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, CEO of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), offered a candid reflection on the project’s journey.
“When we took over, the passenger terminal was incomplete. The cargo terminal was unfinished. The jetty was not completed. The fire station and power plant were also incomplete,” he said. “President Dr Mohamed Muizzu encouraged and pushed to complete all these works within a short timeframe and at a swift pace, and we are grateful for his support.”
The airport’s origins trace back to January 2023, when construction began under a bilateral agreement with India. Despite early delays, the project gained momentum under the current administration. By October 2025, the runway, ATC tower, cargo building, and utility facilities were 99 percent complete.
President Muizzu’s visit to Hanimaadhoo in October laid the groundwork for the November opening. During that visit, he announced a sweeping development agenda for the island, including 500 new housing units, a 30-bed hospital, road modernization, and expanded banking and security services. He also pledged to repurpose the existing MNDF building for higher education and to introduce dialysis, paediatrics, and gynaecology services at the local health center.
“Arrangements will be made such that local passengers departing from the airport can purchase US dollars at bank rate, similar to services available at Velana International Airport,” the President said, highlighting his administration’s commitment to equitable access. The service was inaugurated by the Bank of Maldives (BML) as part of the airport’s opening.
As night fell over the northern atoll, the newly minted Hanimaadhoo International Airport stood gleaming — a concrete promise delivered, a regional dream realized, and a new chapter in India-Maldives cooperation taking flight.
