Hanimaadhoo International Airport opens with full international facilities

Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HIA) was officially inaugurated on Sunday evening, marking a major milestone in northern Maldives infrastructure development.

The revamped airport now features a longer runway, expanded terminal, and upgraded facilities capable of handling narrow-body international flights.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed arrived at the ceremony aboard an Airbus A320, the largest aircraft to land at Hanimaadhoo to date. The event included a three-minute fireworks display and traditional feasts brought in from islands across Haa Dhaalu Atoll.

The inauguration was attended by Indian Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The airport redevelopment was funded through a USD 136.6 million line of credit from India, part of a broader USD 800 million Exim Bank agreement signed in 2019 under the previous administration. The project was awarded to India’s JMC Projects Ltd and began in early 2023.

Originally built 39 years ago, Hanimaadhoo Airport previously accommodated only smaller aircraft such as ATRs and Dash-8s. The modernization includes:

• A 2,465-metre runway suitable for all narrow-body aircraft  

• A new terminal spanning 10,300 square meters, designed to handle 1.3 million passengers annually  

• A fuel farm and cargo terminal to support expanded operations  

• An aerobridge, the first of its kind at an atoll airport  

• ATM and dollar counter services, offering seamless foreign exchange access for global travellers and outbound Maldivians  

• Art installations showcasing the work of Maldivian artists

President Dr @MMuizzu launches @bankofmaldives ATM and Dollar counter services at HIA. The service strengthens the new international gateway with seamless foreign exchange access for global travellers and outbound Maldivians, boosting international commerce and enhancing the… pic.twitter.com/3CblNg9jba

— The President's Office (@presidencymv) November 9, 2025

President Muizzu, speaking at the ceremony, described the airport as a “gateway to prosperity” for the north. “This is not just an airport, it is a symbol of economic transformation,” he said. He also called on investors to seize the opportunity: “All the small and medium-sized businesses in the Maldives are coming to this region. Invest here. It’s a wonderful opportunity. I also encourage foreign investors to come to the Maldives.”

The President emphasized that the airport will help address long-standing transportation challenges faced by resorts and guesthouses in the region. Due to high domestic travel costs, many tourists opt to stay near Male', limiting demand in the north. The new terminal is expected to boost tourism by enabling direct international access.

The expansion also benefits traders in key northern hubs such as Kulhudhuffushi and Ihavandhoo, where improved air connectivity will reduce import costs and support regional commerce.

Following the ceremony, President Muizzu and senior officials toured the new terminal, operated by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). The President also launched Bank of Maldives ATM and dollar counter services at the airport, providing seamless foreign exchange access for global travellers and outbound Maldivians. The service is expected to enhance the travel experience and strengthen international commerce.

The upgraded Hanimaadhoo International Airport now stands as a central pillar in the government’s decentralisation policy, unlocking economic potential and tourism growth across the northern region. With expanded infrastructure and direct international connectivity, HIA is poised to transform the region into a thriving hub for investment, trade, and travel.