Govt says Maldives airports will remain under Maldivian operators

Civil Aviation Minister Mohamed Ameen said on Friday that the government’s position that all airports in the Maldives will be operated by Maldivian companies will not change.

In a post on X, Minister Ameen stated that all airports in the Maldives are operated by Maldivian operators licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority. He said the government remains committed to keeping airport operations under national institutions.

The statement followed a report by The Hindu, which said the Maldives had sought Indian assistance in relation to the operation of the international airport being developed in HDh. Hanimaadhoo with support from an Indian credit line. The report said President Mohamed Muizzu had raised the matter with India’s Civil Aviation Minister.

According to the report, the Maldives had requested assistance in managing the Hanimaadhoo airport and had asked the Airports Authority of India to conduct studies on the proposal. The Indian government has reportedly asked the authority to review the request.

Previous reports have alleged that the Maldivian government was considering selling the Hanimaadhoo airport to India’s Adani Group. The Maldivian government has denied those claims.