Maldives Denies Reports of Foreign Management for Hanimaadhoo Airport Operations

The Government of Maldives has refuted claims made by Indian media that it sought assistance from Indian companies to manage the operations of Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HIA). The airport, recently inaugurated after a major redevelopment funded by India’s EXIM Bank under a USD 800 million line of credit, was officially opened by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. Reports from Indian outlet 'The Hindu' suggested that the Maldivian government had requested India’s Airports Authority to study a proposal for engaging Indian companies in managing HIA. However, Maldivian Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen dismissed these claims, stating that HIA’s operations will remain under government control and will not be handed over to any foreign entity. HIA, upgraded to handle narrow-body aircraft and serve 1.3 million passengers annually, marks a significant development in the northern Maldives, opening opportunities for international airlines to operate.