Dharavandhoo Airport Terminal Expansion Officially Launched

The practical work to expand Dharavandhoo Airport’s terminal has officially begun, launched by Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen at a ceremony on the island. The event was attended by Hithadhoo Constituency MP Mohamed Sirhan, Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL) Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas, Deputy Managing Director Ali Salim, and other officials. During the ceremony, the airport was formally handed over to IASL. The handover agreement was signed by the Ministry’s Director General, Ahmed Shamim, and IASL Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas. The project will bring major upgrades to the terminal, covering a total area of 814 acres. Planned works include expanding the arrival hall, installing new check-in counters and arrival belts, and adding a café and a departure gate. The design and consultancy were handled by Epoch Associates Pvt Ltd. The new terminal is designed to reflect the Maldives’ underwater scenery, offering a distinctive visual experience. It will feature a spacious arrival hall, self-service kiosks, and three boarding gates. Upon completion, the facility will accommodate 175 passengers at a time and include a lounge for 75 people, a dedicated baby care facility, and the capacity to handle three aircraft simultaneously. Speaking at the event, IASL Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas described the project as a key development for Dharavandhoo and the wider province, representing a vital step in improving transport connectivity and supporting the President’s vision for tourism. He noted the airport currently averages eight flights daily, having served approximately 1.8 million passengers across more than 42,000 flights to date. “The expansion of services at the airport, which currently employs 99 staff, will be highly beneficial for the province, which has a population of over 10,000,” Iyas said. The development is part of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s presidential pledge, intended to benefit the entire atoll and contribute to the broader economy. Dharavandhoo is located in a region with a high concentration of resorts, where local tourism is expanding and passenger numbers are increasing, positioning the airport upgrade as a significant boost for the area's tourism sector.