Zameer: Vision is to have an airstrip every 30-minute boat ride

Minister of Tourism, Moosa Zameer has announced that it was the vision of the government to have an airstrip on every Maldivian island within every 30-minute ride by speedboat.

Speaking during the meeting held with projected State budget research committee of People’s Majlis for 2017, Zameer said President Yameen Abdul Gayoom envisioned upgrading the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) and improving the connectivity of the whole country.

Maldives currently has multiple airport; H. Dh. Hanimaadhoo Airport, R. Irufushi Airport, B. Dharavandhoo Airport, A. Dh. Maamingili Villa Airport, Th. Thimarafushi Airport, Iskandhar Airbase in L. Kadhdhoo, G. A. Kooddoo Airport, G. Dh. Kaadedhdhoo Airport, Fuvahmulah City Airport, Addu City’s Gan International Airport, and the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Male’.

Zameer said that government wanted to build an airstrip of minimum 1.2 kilometers in every Maldivian island within a 30-minute ride by speedboat.

“It’s the government’s vision for there to be at least a 1.2 kilometer airstrip within a 30-minute distance of a speedboat going at 28 miles per hour,” said Zameer.

An airstrip is usually an aerodrome in isolated location with one short runway and fueling equipment.

A 1.2 kilometer runway is the current length of many domestic airports in the country.

The length of the two international airports; INIA and Gan International Airport is 3.6 kilometers.

A new airport in Dh. Kudahuvadhoo is currently under construction, and the government has budgeted MVR 625 million for construction of additional airports in four islands for 2017; in H. Dh. Kulhudhuffushi, Sh. Funadhoo, F. Nilandhoo, and G. Dh. Faresmaathodaa.