Operations at Hanimaadhoo International Airport are set to shift to the airport’s newly built terminal building on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in the development of northern air connectivity and tourism infrastructure.
The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which has officially taken over management of the facility, confirmed that all current operations will be relocated from the existing terminal to the ground floor of the new terminal this week. The move forms part of the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process — the final stage before the airport’s official inauguration on 9 November.
According to MACL, the relocation is necessary to comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations, which require complete runway clearance for Code C aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. To accommodate these larger aircraft, the old terminal and nearby elevated structures must be vacated to ensure full operational safety.
The company stated that testing of systems and equipment, staff training, and readiness assessments are ongoing to ensure that all procedures align with international aviation standards ahead of the airport’s formal opening.
Once fully operational, Hanimaadhoo International Airport will feature a 2,465-metre runway capable of handling large commercial aircraft and supporting increased passenger and cargo traffic. Designed to complement the natural beauty of the Maldives, the new terminal will be able to accommodate up to 1.3 million passengers annually, significantly expanding the capacity for tourism growth in the northern region.
The USD 136.6 million expansion project is being carried out by India’s JMC Projects Ltd, under a broader initiative to strengthen regional connectivity and decentralise tourism development beyond the Greater Malé area.
Physical work began in January 2023, with the project including the new passenger terminal, runway, taxiways, apron areas, and associated infrastructure upgrades.
The transition to the new terminal represents the final stage in one of the country’s most significant aviation projects — a development expected to transform Hanimaadhoo into a key northern gateway for international travel and commerce.
