Ministry of Economic Development has decided to award the Gan International Airport (GIA) development project to India's Renaatus Projects Private Limited.
The ministry has handed over the Notification of Intention to Award to the Renaatus who won the bid for the development of GIA in Addu City. The ministry stated that it is making final preparations prior to signing the agreement and to begin fieldwork this month.
GIA is an important hub linked to the economy and social aspects of the southern atolls. The lack of a modern airport is one of the biggest obstacles to the development of Addu and the expansion of tourism in the city. The government has decided to upgrade the main gateway to southern atolls.
The development of GIA will be carried out under the line of credit of the Exim Bank of India. The project aims to develop GIA to serve 1.5 million passengers per year through the line of credit extended by the Exim Bank. The project includes the construction of a new domestic terminal, control tower, and fire station, as well as upgrading and renewing the current terminal, duty-free shops, and restaurants. It also includes paving a new path that leads to the airport, as well as installing solar panels. The estimated cost of the project is USD17 million.
The airport will be expanded to provide cargo facilities with cold storage for businesses and the tourism industry. In addition, a new control tower, a fire station, the airport roads, and parking areas will be modernised.