President: INIA will be expanded to serve seven million passengers

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom the government plans to increase the capacity of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) to serve five to seven million passengers per year.

President Yameen made the statement in his remarks at an event on Monday night to celebrate the 4th anniversary of Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

The government is working hard to build a new runway at the airport, expand its terminal facilities and increase its capacity over the next 50 years to serve five or seven million people annually, the President said.

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adheeb had earlier said that the government will fund the airport development project through a financial loan and that consultants from Singapore's Changi Airports International will be hired to advise the project.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has revealed plans to expand the terminal to the existing Aqua Restaurant area. The restaurant remains closed after the lease to operate the establishment expired.