Better to hand over Hanimaadhoo airport to Indian company, says Nasheed
Minister Ameen has said that all airports in the Maldives would be operated by Maldivian companies and that the government’s position had not changed.
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Former president Mohamed Nasheed said on Sunday that he had heard reports that the operation of Hanimaadhoo International Airport would be handed over to an Indian company.
Speaking at a campaign rally for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Malé mayoral primary candidate Ali Azim, Nasheed said the current government had previously opposed transferring the operation of the airport to an Indian operator.
Nasheed said he supported privatisation, adding that services should be provided by private companies rather than the state.
He said he had heard that the government planned to hand over the operation of Hanimaadhoo airport to an Indian company, noting that those now considering such a move had earlier opposed similar arrangements.
Nasheed also said that Velana International Airport was operating at a loss and that he favoured transferring its operation to a private operator. He referred to the level of debt linked to the airport and said the liabilities continued to increase each year.
In a post on X on Monday, Nasheed said he had learned about a government privatisation programme. He said reports indicated that ports and airports were included in the plan. While supporting private sector involvement, he said any agreement should be awarded through a competitive bidding process.
Nasheed said he had heard that Hanimaadhoo airport would be handed over to an Indian company. Last week, an Indian newspaper reported that the Maldives had sought assistance from India in operating the airport.
Meanwhile, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen said in a post on X that all airports in the Maldives would be operated by Maldivian companies and that the government’s position had not changed.
During Nasheed’s administration, the operation and development of Velana International Airport was handed over to India’s GMR Group. The agreement was later cancelled following a change of government after opposition protests against the deal.
Following the termination of the agreement, the Maldives government paid USD 270 million, equivalent to about MVR 4.1 billion, in compensation to the company.
