Since President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom pledged to develop an airport at Kulhudhuffushi in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, residents had been waiting impatiently for the realisation of this dream.
Today, a notion that was born as a pledge made by the president during his 2013 campaign trail, has become a reality for the thriving community of the island. One of the most densely populated islands in the northern atolls of Maldives, Kulhudhuffushi is an island where numerous socio-economic ventures are based. It has always been a dream of the residents to have their own airport, from which they can travel to destinations across the country.
The operation of the first flight to Kulhudhuffushi airport lit up the faces of residents, who expect the new airport to facilitate economic and infrastructural benefits. The first people to get off the plane were Minister of Tourism Moosa Zameer and Attorney General Mohamed Anil. They were accompanied by the Parliamentary Group Leader of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Ahmed Nihan Hussain Manik, Chief of Defence Force Ahmed Shiyam, senior officials of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), in addition to officials from Island Aviation Services Limited and aviation experts.
Addressing the function, Tourism Minister Zameer stated chartered flights will be operated to the airport. In his address, the minister forecast a substantial boost to regional tourism due to the introduction of Kulhudhuffushi Airport. This would also make travel more convenient for the residents of Kulhudhuffushi, he added. The runway of Kulhudhuffushi Airport is 1,200 meters long and 30 meters wide. By the time the first test flight was operated to Kulhudhuffushi, the runway, taxiway and apron had already been completed.
Addressing the function, Parliamentary Group Leader of ruling party Ahmed Nihan described the airport as a valuable gift given to the residents of Kulhudhuffushi due to President's Yameen farsightedness. Regardless of the scepticism that came in the wake of the president's pledge to develop an airport at Kulhudhuffushi, even those sceptics have witnessed the historic event, he said.
During a trip to Kulhudhuffushi, President Yameen said residents of the island would fly to Kulhudhuffushi and land at the airport, to cast their votes in the presidential election. A total of 15 hectares of land; 6 from the lagoon and 9 from the mangrove were reclaimed to accommodate the development of Kulhudhuffushi Airport.