Beriyanfaru earmarked for second airport Raa Atoll, says pres

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced on Sunday that an airport will be built in the southern region of Raa atoll, in Beriyanfaru. 

The government has decided to allot an island on cross-subsidy basis for the development of an airport in the southern part of R. atoll. In April, planning minister Mohamed Aslam had said that the government had not yet decided on the island where the airport would be built.

After inaugurating the development of Addu Gan International Airport, President Solih said that there will be no better way than to execute projects across the Maldives in one-go. The president also noted that a happy and peaceful life cannot be achieved unless the entire country is connected by land and air.

"Efforts are underway across the country to connect the country by air. As part of this work, an airport will be built in Beriyanfaru in Raa atoll," he said.

The president said whatever the government is doing today is to develop the country in a sustainable manner. He described it as an effort to ensure that future generations have a happy life.

Last year, the government invited investors to fund the development of domestic airports in six islands under the regulations on leasing islands for tourism purposes through cross-subsidy.

In addition to south of Raa Atoll, other islands earmarked for airport development include: