President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the development work on Hanimaadhoo International Airport will be completed and the airport will be operational by November at the latest. He made this statement while addressing the people of Hanimaadhoo. Speaking to the residents of Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said that the Hanimaadhoo International Airport is the most important project for the island, and although it is the oldest airport in the Maldives, it has taken the longest time to develop. The President noted that the airport is currently undergoing rapid modernization with many facilities, and he assured that the project would be completed with all services ready for use by November at the latest.
“As it is an international airport, we will arrange for passengers departing from this airport to be able to purchase dollars at bank rates, just like passengers departing from Velana International Airport. Speaking of dollars, we will also install a dollar ATM in the public residential area outside the airport, God willing,” said the President. The President stated that with the Hanimaadhoo International Airport and dollar ATM services, tourism in Hanimaadhoo would flourish. He added that when the airport opens, passport services and ID card printing services will also be established in Hanimaadhoo. He said this would be beneficial for the residents of Hanimaadhoo, those who migrate to the island, and those seeking services.
The Hanimaadhoo International Airport is a completely new project.. According to Regional Airports Company, which is carrying out the work, 91% of the entire project has now been completed. Looking at individual components, 92% of the passenger and jetty terminal building has been completed. The terminal, designed with a modern Maldivian aesthetic, is a large 10,380 square meter facility. 99% of the work on the runway, ATC tower, cargo building, hangar taxiway, and utility facilities has now been completed.
Upon completion of this project, Hanimaadhoo Airport will be able to accommodate A320 and Boeing 737 flights. The new Hanimaadhoo Airport has developed an apron that can park 9 flights simultaneously. This includes space for 3 Airbus and 6 ATR aircraft to park at the same time.
The ground floor of the terminal will be used for domestic flights, while the upper floor will be used for international travel. Each floor includes 2 gates. The first aerobridge to be used at an atoll airport will be at Hanimaadhoo Airport. This project, costing approximately two billion rufiyaa, will enable Hanimaadhoo International Airport to serve 1.3 million passengers annually.
