MACL to continue management of the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport

Government has decided to retain the management of the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) with Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), instead of handing it over to the new company that was established to run the airport.

A government official said today that the government has decided for MACL to continue managing the airport instead of handing it over to Male’ International Airport Company (MIAL). The official said that Bandhu Ibrahim Saleem, Managing Director of MIAL is reported to be appointed as the new Managing Director of MACL.

Attorney General Aishath Bisam has recently stated that the president will not be able to appoint members to board of directors of government companies as the State Businesses Privatization Act has come into force.

President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik appointed the MIAL board after the privatization act was ratified.

The government official stated that MIAL, the new company established to run INIA, would have to be abolished, but said that the government has not yet made an final decision.

Sun has come to know that the government intends to overhaul the MACL Board of Directors after appointing Bandhu Ibrahim Saleem as the company’s Managing Director.

President assembled the MIAL Board of Directors early this February and appointed Mohamed Umar Manik, Chairman of Universal Enterprises as the board's Chairman.

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.

The government appointed Chairman of Island Aviation Services Bandhu Ibrahim Saleem as the Managing Director of MIAL.

Other 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.

MACL took over the management of the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on 8th December 2012 following the government's termination of their agreement with Indian infrastructure giant GMR.