Ministry of Economic Development has contracted the redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport to JMC Projects Limited of India.
The economic ministry said the project has been awarded to JMC Projects at a cost of USD136 million. The project to redevelop Hanimaadhoo lnternational Airport is being funded by loan assistance from the EXIM Bank of India and includes major infrastructure and operational upgrades and building infrastructure to meet the future growth of traffic to the Maldives. The project includes developing a 2.46km runway to enable larger aircraft such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s to land at the airport. It also includes the construction of a modern terminal to accommodate 1.3 million passengers annually, as well as the construction of a cargo terminal, fuel farms, and a fire station.
The redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport is one of the eight mega infrastructure projects financed under the USD 800 million Line of Credit facility extended to the Government of the Maldives. The Exim Bank conducted a pre-qualification process in May for Indian companies with the technical expertise, financial strength, and prior experience to execute the project.
The economic ministry has stated the completion of the project will result in an increase in tourist arrivals in the northern atolls, which will result in more job opportunities and benefit local businesses. The ministry has stated that one of the biggest challenges facing the development of tourism in the north of Maldives is the lack of direct flights to the region carrying tourists from all over the world and the high cost of transportation required to visit the region.
The government believes that the completion of the Hanimaadhoo International Airport development project will solve this problem and greatly facilitate the expansion of tourism by increasing the number of resorts, city hotels, and guesthouses. The project is expected to increase business and employment opportunities in the northern provinces. The development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport will also play an important role in implementing the government's plans to establish a modern maritime hub in the north of the country that will provide services to large cargo ships travelling along the main shipping routes of the world.