Indian foreign minister to visit Maldives for Hanimaadhoo Airport kick-off
Government had in September signed an agreement with India's JMC Projects to develop the international airport.
Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar is scheduled to arrive in the Maldives next week to attend a ceremony to begin work on the development of HDh. Hanimaadhoo International Airport.
Government had in September signed an agreement with India's JMC Projects to develop the international airport on the island of Hanimaadhoo in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, a development touted as the biggest infrastructure development project in the northern part of the country.
Atoll Times understands that a ceremony will be held at the airport mid-next week to kick-off the works.
While the exact date of the ceremony is not yet known, a reliable source confirmed to Atoll Times that:
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President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will also attend the ceremony
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A high-level Indian delegation led by Jaishankar will be in the Maldives for the ceremony
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After Maldives, Jaishankar will also travel to neighbouring Sri Lanka; this will be the first visit by the Indian foreign minister to the island nation since Ranil Wickremesinghe took office in the middle of last year
The project was awarded to India's JMC for MVR 2.1 billion, shortlisted by the Exim Bank of India from among four Indian bidders.
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Hanimaadhoo International Airport is being redeveloped under a $800 million line of credit provided by Exim Bank of India
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The project is expected to be completed and begin services in 2024
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A 2.46 km runway and a brand new terminal with the capacity to accommodate 1.3 million passengers annually will be built
In a previous statement, economic ministry outlined some benefits of developing t
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Upon completion of the project, the airport can cater to Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft
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Direct flights from the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Africa will boost tourism in the upper north region
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Cargo can be directly air-freighted to the north from abroad.
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Facilitate export of Maldivian fish products from the northern region.
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Makes way for the development of a maritime hub in the north to service cargo liners and other vessels crossing Maldivian channels.
Although the airport redevelopment project had previously been planned to commence in mid-2022, the credit line needed an extension.
During President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's official visit to India early August 2022, India added another $100 million to the existing credit line.
