News Desk
MALE’, — The Maldives will soon open Muli Airport in Meemu Atoll, bringing the nation’s total to 19 airports, with five international and 14 domestic, as it strengthens connectivity across its scattered islands. The new domestic airport, set for a test flight on April 25, says Regional Airports’ Company Managing Director Ahmed Mubeen, will serve 8,000 residents previously without air access, boosting local mobility and tourism.
Developed by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company for 221 million Maldivian rufiyaa, Muli Airport’s runway, terminal, and safety facilities, including a fire station, are ready. The Regional Airports Company, which will manage the airport, expects commercial flights by Maldivian, the national carrier, to start within a month, pending Civil Aviation Authority approval.
The opening of Muli Airport, which President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will inaugurate during a visit next week, underscores the Maldives’ ongoing efforts to expand its aviation infrastructure. This development not only enhances connectivity for locals but also supports the nation’s tourism industry by making more atolls accessible to visitors seeking its pristine beaches and coral reefs.
The Maldives’ aviation network is vital for its tourism-driven economy, which welcomes over a million visitors annually. International gateways include Velana International Airport near Malé, Gan in Addu Atoll, Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maafaru in Noonu Atoll, and Villa in Alif Dhaalu Atoll. Domestic airports like Dharavandhoo, Kadhdhoo, and Kooddoo connect remote islands, supporting both locals and tourists drawn to the nation’s coral reefs and beaches. The addition of Muli Airport underscores ongoing efforts to expand this infrastructure, enhancing access to the Maldives’ pristine atolls.
