Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has commenced land reclamation for runway construction as part of the Meemu Airport Development Project.
Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure contracted MTCC with the development of Meemu Airport in Muli, Meemu Atoll in February 2021. The project involves reclamation operations of 14 hectares, coastal protection operations of 1,812m, and the construction of a 1200m by 30m runway, taxiway and an apron as well as the construction of terminal and fire buildings. MTCC stated that fire building plastering works, terminal building foundation works and runway reclamation operations are ongoing at a rapid speed.
MTCC is tasked with completing the project within 365 days at a cost of USD16 million. The project had previously been stalled to make changes to the design concept to meet the expectations of local residents. MTCC stated the changes required the reclamation of more land and more time devoted to the planning stage and conducting the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
The airport is being developed under the government's policy to establish airports within 30 minutes of every inhabited island in the Maldives. Meemu is the only atoll that does not have access to an airport within 30 minutes of travel. The atoll has a population of over7,000 across eight inhabited islands.