Gan Airport development faces delays, Renaatus to receive compensation

The Minister of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib on Monday has said that the development of Gan International Airport has been stalled owing to the delays in vacating a building.

According to the minister, if the government fails in vacating the building, which is situated on a road that is part of the airport’s developmental plan, before April 17^th, it may be required to pay compensation to the project’s developer Renaatus.

Minister Muththalib revealed in a post on X on Monday that the building and the plot in question belongs to Addu International Airport Company. He added that despite the efforts in the past two years, the party using the building has refused to vacate the premises due to which the building had not been handed over to Addu International Airport Company.

The minister further revealed that instructions had been given to exclude the building and its plot from the airport development plan as delays to the project would result in financial losses to the government.

“We acknowledge the grievances of Addu citizens in the matter,” the minister said in his social media post.

He further added if the building is vacated before April 17^th, the project would proceed according to the initial plan. Muththalib said a separate project would be initiated on the plot as soon as it is vacated and available for use.

He also expressed hope that the plot would be vacated promptly allowing for the swift progress of the airport’s development, and called for the support of all relevant stakeholders.

Gan International Airport’s development began during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in 2023. The project was awarded to India’s Renaatus for a cost of MVR 455.8 million.