Contractor being sought to redevelop Dharavandhoo Airport’s terminal

Island Aviation Services has invited proposals seeking a contractor interested in redeveloping the passenger terminal at the Dharavandhoo Airport on a contractor financing basis.

Island Aviation has asked for interested parties to submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) by 11:59 pm June 4.

Opened in 2012, the airport in Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll – a UNESCO biosphere reserve - is one of the busiest domestic airports in the Maldives.

The airport has seen over 42,000 flight movements and catered to 1.8 million passengers since it opened. 72 percent of these passengers are international tourists.

The government handed over the management of the airport to Island Aviation – the company that operates the national airport – back in April.

According to previous statements by Island Aviation, it plans to expand the 959 square meter terminal at the airport to an 1,874 square meter space.

The company expects this will increase the hourly capacity at the airport from 80 to 175 passengers.

According to Island Aviation, the new passenger terminal will house modern check-in counters, a baggage conveyor belt system, an executive lounge with the capacity to cater to 75 passengers at a time.

Baa Atoll is home to 16 resorts and over 79 guesthouses. The project to upgrade the airport in Dharavandhoo is expected to boost the region’s economy.