The road development for the Addu Gan International Airport project is now complete, marking a significant step in the long-awaited redevelopment of the southern atoll's key transportation hub.
The completion of the 4.3 km of new road was announced by Addu International Airport Company (AIA) Managing Director Mohamed Waheed Hussain, with final traffic markings currently underway.
The development, funded through the Indian Line of Credit, aims to transform the airport into a state-of-the-art facility capable of handling 1.5 million passengers annually. For years, the airport's development was hindered by a series of delays and challenges.
With the roadwork nearing full completion, attention is now focused on the expansion of the airport's terminal. Waheed told PSM News that two new terminal extensions are under construction, a 15-metre addition on one side and a 75-metre expansion on the other.
While the official timeline suggests completion by the end of this year, Waheed noted the possibility of delays.
The current phase of work is designed to facilitate the upcoming development of the existing terminal, which will eventually be modernised to offer advanced facilities.
Waheed acknowledged the challenges of maintaining airport operations during the construction, but expressed confidence that the project would be complete by early next year.
The construction has not been without controversy with the felling of old shelter trees to make way for the new road generating significant public concerns from the people of Addu. In response, the airport is addressing the concerns by planting large, new sheltering trees on both sides of the newly paved roads.
The development of Addu International Airport has been a multi-stage project spanning more than a decade. The airport's existing infrastructure includes a 3000-meter-long runway, which is capable of accommodating Code E category aircraft, such as the Boeing 777.
The ultimate goal is to cement the airport's role as a vital engine for economic and social growth in the south of Maldives, boosting much needed tourism and trade in the region.