MIAL to take over operations of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport from 1st July

Minister of Finance and Treasury Abdulla Jihad has said that Male’ International Airport Limited, the new company established to run Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA), will take over operations of the airport from the 1st of July this year.

Minister Jihad told Sun today that registration of Male’ International Airport Company (MIAL) has been completed and that the company is now preparing to take over operations.

“The company has been registered. Now remains the work by MACL to hand over operations. It will begin soon, without delay,” Jihad said.

He said that the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) would remain the proprietor of INIA and all the assets of the airport will be managed by MIAL.

“The new company will run the airport. The ownership of the airport will remain with MACL until arbitration is completed. But the work on transferring the employees and such will continue, when they take over operations. An official handover of the assets will also be conducted,” Jihad said.

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed assembled a board of directors of MIAL early last month with the Chairman of Universal Enterprises Mohamed Umar Manik of M. Ruhkuri as the chairman of the board. Mohamed Umar Manik has also filled the post of chairman of the “Airport Advisory Committee” that was constituted by the president to advise the government on the management and development of the airport.

Bandhu Ibrahim Saleem of Ma. Cuatro , the current Chairman of Island Aviation Services, was appointed as the Managing Director of MIAL.

Additional members of the board include Thoriq Ibrahim of G. Noomaraahiya, Ahmed Munavvaru of Gaafu Dhaalu Madaveli Gahaa, Abdulla Yazeed of Dhaftharu 4076 (general registry), and Ibrahim Iyas of Dhaftharu 8309.

Government decided to establish MIAL to operate Ibrahim Nasir Interational Airport after they terminated their contract with Indian infrastructure giant GMR and transferred the management of the airport under MACL.

MIAL was established with 100 percent government ownership for the company to take responsibility over management and development of the airport, under a management agreement between MIAL and MACL.