MACL Completes 42 Percent of Dredging for Milandhoo Airport Project

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has completed 11 hectares of dredging as part of the Milandhoo Airport and Harbour Development Project, marking a significant milestone in the island's infrastructure expansion. The project, which aims to reclaim a total of 25 hectares of land, is being executed under a contract awarded to MACL in October last year. The government expects the entire development to be completed within the next two years, with the dredging phase specifically targeted for completion within eight months of its commencement. According to the latest progress updates from MACL, 42 percent of the dredging works are now finished. The operation is being carried out by the "Queen of the Netherlands" dredger, a high-capacity vessel capable of transporting 35,000 cubic metres of sand per load, ensuring the rapid reclamation of the designated areas. Beyond the airport, the project is designed to optimize land use and modernize the island's utility for the medium and long term. To accommodate the new aviation facilities, the existing harbour will be relocated to a different area of the island. A new, modern harbour facility will be developed as part of the broader project scope to maintain maritime connectivity while expanding air access. This development is expected to enhance the socio-economic landscape of Milandhoo by improving transport links and providing the necessary infrastructure to support future growth and tourism potential in the region.