Following the completion of the bidding process for the development of Hanimaadhoo International Airport – the project has been officially awarded to the winning bidder, India’s JMC Projects Limited on Wednesday.

The project was contracted for USD 136.6 million.

The project financed by Line of Credit from India’s EXIM Bank executed between the Government of Maldives the Bank in 2019 – which comprises of a scope if a 2.46 kilometre new runway and a terminal with an annual capacity of 1.3 million passengers.

Other facilities required to expand international travel will also be developed under the project.

Economic Ministry revealed that by the end of the project, the airport will be able to accommodate large commercial aircrafts including Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. The airport will also provide a direct getaway for flights from South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Africa.

The Ministry said that one of biggest obstructions to develop tourism in northern Maldives is the lack of an airport handling operations of direct flights carrying tourists from different regions of the world and the expenses tourists must bare to travel to the northern Maldives.

Therewith, the Ministry stressed that completion of Hanimaadhoo International Airport will provide a permanent solution for the issue – which will also lead to development of new resorts, city hotels and guesthouses in the north, ultimately improving tourist.