L. Atoll’s second airport to be built in Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo

The Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Ministry has announced plans to develop a second airport in L. Atoll in Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo, an island located in the northern tip of the atoll.

L. Atoll currently has only one airport, located in Kadhdhoo.

Developing a second airport in the southern atoll of Laamu was an electoral pledge President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during his 2023 campaign. And during a visit to L. Maavah in October last year, President Muizzu stated that his administration would finalize the location for the airport soon, promising that the decision would stem on optimizing economic and tourism growth.

 In a video message on Thursday morning, the Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Ministry announced that the administration has settled on Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo for the project.

ލ. އަތޮޅުގެ ދެވަނަ އެއާޕޯޓު ލ. އިސްދޫ - ކަލައިދޫގައި pic.twitter.com/3b2PHznKvR

— Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Dev. (@MIHUDmv) June 25, 2026

The ministry noted that Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo is one of the largest islands in the Maldives in terms of land mass, making it an island with great potential for population relocation.

“What this island needs today is the chance to build a strong economy. And the chance to tap into the natural beauty of surrounding islands and boost tourism,” said the ministry in its video message.

The ministry said the new airport will shorten the 45-minute boat trip between Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo and Kadhdhoo, and benefit not just Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo, but also the residents of Dhanbidhoo and Maabaidhoo.

The ministry said the airport will benefit both small and large businesses, and drive economic growth in the entire atoll.