Minister: Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo is a beautiful spot for tourism expansion; best choice for L. Atoll airport

Dr. Abdulla Muthalib, the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development told the Parliament on Monday that Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo is a beautiful island with great potential for tourism development, making it the best location for a second airport in L. 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 made 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 June, the Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development Ministry announced that the administration had settled on Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo for the project.

Muthalib, who was summoned to the Parliament to answer questions on Monday morning, was asked by Maavah MP Ahmed Shakir and North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu), lawmakers from the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), regarding whether the government conducted any financial feasibility study before deciding to build an airport in Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo.

Muthalib responded that only two islands in L. Atoll had expressed interest in the airport project; Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo and Maavah.

He said that the government considered the size of the islands, the population, and potential for economic development, including tourism expansion, in making its decision.

Muthalib said that the government picked Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo because it is the fourth largest islands in the Maldives in terms of land mass, meaning there’s great potential for economic development.

“I believe Honorable MP Kudu will agree that it is a beautiful location, even from a tourism perspective. To run tourism activities. Therefore, the government considered all this, and decided that Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo is the best location for a second airport in L. Atoll,” he said.

Back on June 22, when it announced the decision to build the airport in Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo, the ministry said the island’s large size made it an island with great potential for population relocation.

The ministry added that 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 decision to pick Isdhoo-Kalaidhoo for the airport project had sparked protests in Maavah, who believe it should be built in their island instead. Disgruntled residents announced plans to petition President Muizzu over the decision.

They expressed concern that Maavah remains the most geographically isolated in L. Atoll, making it harder to access basic services.