Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam has stated that the government is currently in discussions to select an island for the development of an airport in the southern part of Raa Atoll.
Responding to questions at the Parliament of the Maldives, Minister Aslam said that the government has held discussions on selecting an island for the development of an airport in the southern part of Raa Atoll with the relevant local councils and that two locations have been nominated. He expressed the government’s intention to develop the airport on an inhabited island to allow residents to receive economic benefits and to reduce the project's cost, as the contractor would not have to build a harbour, accommodations, and water and sewerage systems.
Earlier this year, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih revealed that the government is deliberating on a location in the southern part of Raa Atoll for the development of an airport. He also said that a total of four airport development projects will commence this year.