Nasheed advocates for third-party management of Hanimaadhoo Airport, defends past GMR deal

Former President Mohamed Nasheed defends Male' International Airport's GMR deal and says Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HIA) will see the most benefit if its given to a third party to operate under the basis of tender.

In a chat group of high ranking officials in the tourism industry, Nasheed made this statement last night while Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has refuted claims that there are plans to "sell" HIA to India's Adani Group.

The initial statement of denial came in response to former President Abdulla Yameen's allegations where he said that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu had "discussed plans to sell" HIA to Adani Group during his first state visit to Singapore last week.

Nasheed stated that HIA would have bigger benefits if it were to be run by an airline instead.

He goes on to say that, "Instead of racking up further debt and be in a position to pay back even more loans, Maldives should rent out what the country is able to for more positive benefits."

Nasheed says that it would be wise for airports and even businesses by private parties. And that In that case, it would be better to see whether the private sector in that situation is local or foreign by going to a public tender and seeing what is most beneficial to the government.

In relation to the topic, he defended the earlier deal of Velana International Airport (VIA) being run by GMR. He said that if the same measures had been taken back then, "the airport would have been in operation for 10 years by now, and we wouldn't have a debt of USD 2 billion."

"And that the benefits to the government would be considerable," Nasheed stated.

The deal to let GMR run VIA, previously known as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, during Nasheed's administration was canceled during former President Mohamed Waheed's administration. The sum of USD 271 million (MVR 4.1 billion) that has been paid off on 15th November 2016 during Yameen's administration was the consequence of canceling said deal.

The MDP government's 25-year agreement with GMR was canceled in 2012 by Waheed's government citing it would have caused a huge loss to the state.

Construction Minister Dr. Abdulla Muthalib stated on 1st July 2025 that the the construction of Hanimaadhoo International Airport, which is being developed via a line of credit from India, will conclude in September of this year.

He has stated that the project is currently at 88.7% completion.

The minister said that the airport runway has been laid and finished. Along with 96% completion of the air traffic control tower, aircraft maintenance bay and cargo building, the passenger terminal has reached 83% completion as well.

The development of HIA was handed over to India's Kalpataru Projects in September 2022 during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. The projects includes the construction of a 2.7 kilometer runway, a passenger terminal capable of servicing 1.3 million guests, an air traffic control tower, a cargo building and a fuel farm.

The airport is being built with the ability to accommodate the largest commercial jets in mind. USD 136 million of the USD 800 million line of credit from India's Exim Bank will be used for this project.