State government has decided to fully fund the development of the airports planned at Haa Dhaal Kulhudhuffushi and Shaviyani atoll Fonadhoo. Both airports would be developed through state budget funding.
Initially the development of both airports were assigned to Griffin Malaysia. However the corporation had failed to produce financing for the projects which resulted in project rights reverting back to state. Griffin had been assigned the development of the two northern airports as well as a few others in the country.
Director General of Regional Airports, Saamee Ageel has confirmed the land reclamation for the airport development on both Kulhudhuffushi and Fonadhoo has been assigned to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) while state will be fully handling the financing of the two airports.
Meanwhile, MTCC's Chief Executive Ibrahim Ziyath has said the first project the company's monolithic hopper-suction dredger would engage in would be the land reclamation project at Kulhudhuffushi for the airport development. He forecast an estimate of MVR 53.4 million as income from the project while he has affirmed a 180 day for completion.
Other airports for development included Faafu atoll Nilandhoo, Gaaf Dhaal Faresmaathodaa and Gaaf Dhaal Maavarulu, all of which went to Griffin Malaysia. However since the agreement had been terminated, state is seeking new contractors for the projects according to Ageel.
Current government has assured inception of 9 new airports which includes the aforementioned sites as well as at Lhaviyani atoll Felivaru, Raa atoll Fainu, Noonu atoll Maafaru and Haa Alif atoll Maafinolhu.
