President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih today inaugurated the Madivaru Regional Airport developed by Kurredhoo Holdings and managed by Island Aviation Service (IAS).
The opening ceremony was attended by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, IAS’ Managing Director Mohamed Mihad, and Kurredhoo Holdings’ Managing Director Mohamed Moosa (Uhchu) along with officials from the government, IAS, Kurredhoo Holdings, and MMPRC.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih said this is one of the most fully equipped airports in the Maldives with top-class facilities. Moreover, Kurredhoo Holdings have expressed their interest in turning the domestic/regional airport into an international airport and relevant discussions are currently underway with MTCC.
President Solih also added that this airport will be very important to boost guesthouse and homestay tourism in the atoll. Moreover, it will open up many employment opportunities for the people of the Lhaviyani atoll.
IAS’ Managing Director Mohamed Mihad expressed the importance of Lhaviyani atoll which has more than 15,000 residents and the development of this airport will further help the atoll establish itself in the Maldivian economy.
Mihad highlighted that the airport will bring much-needed ease to tourists and will open many avenues of business to the atoll. Moreover, he also praised the airport’s facilities as being one of the best in the Maldives.
IAS recently announced that a one-way ticket will cost MVR 1,029 and scheduled flights will commence next Sunday.
The development of Madivaru Regional Airport is estimated to have cost MVR 170 million and its operation was handed over to IAS last December.