Saeed denies claims of Hanimaadhoo airport sale to Adani Group
Yameen alleged that Hanimaadhoo Airport was among several locations that the government intended to sell or lease.
Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed has denied allegations that the government is planning to sell HDh. Hanimaadhoo Airport to India’s Adani Group.
The denial follows comments made by former President Abdulla Yameen, who claimed during a political rally that President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had met with the Chairman of the Adani Group during his recent visit to Singapore and discussed handing over the airport.
Yameen alleged that Hanimaadhoo Airport was among several locations that the government intended to sell or lease, and named the Adani Group as a potential recipient.
Minister Saeed responded to the claims on social media platform X on Saturday, stating that the rumours were false. “The rumours that Hanimaadhoo Airport is going to be sold or leased to a foreign party and that I met people in Singapore about this are a blatant lie,” Saeed wrote.
The ongoing development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport began during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The project is funded through a credit line extended by India’s Exim Bank and includes the following components:
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Total project value of USD 136 million (approximately MVR 2 billion)
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Construction of a 2.46-kilometre runway
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Development of a new passenger terminal with the capacity to handle 1.3 million passengers annually
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Facilities to accommodate aircraft such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737
According to the most recent government update issued last Tuesday, the project is 88% complete. The Ministry has stated that construction is scheduled to be finished by September.
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