Airport to be operated by MACL

Minister of Finance Abdullah Jihad has said that subsequent to the termination of the agreement with GMR, the airport will be operated by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

In response to a question by Sun Online, Jihad said that there is no reason why MACL, the previous operator of the airport, cannot continue to operate the airport.

“The company [MACL] will continue to operate the airport. The process is ongoing. We have not decided to hand over airport operation to a foreign group,” Jihad said.

He informed that MACL will make the necessary changes to the administrative structure and other areas as advised by Finance Ministry, and obtain assistance from foreign experts in operating the airport.

The Cabinet made the decision today to terminate the agreement with GMR, signed in June 2010. The government has given GMR 7 days to hand over the airport.

It has also decided to file a case in this regard to Singapore’s Arbitration Court.