Airport for A.A. atoll, picnic islands for every atoll promised by President

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has officially undertaken the project of land reclamation and development for the first airport in the Alifu Alifu atoll.

This initiative fulfills a key presidential promise, with the work formally handed over to MACL during a ceremony where the President met with the Mathiveri community.

The agreement was signed by State Minister Hussain Imran on behalf of the Finance Ministry and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed representing MACL. The President had previously announced that the Mathiveri airport construction would be among the new projects launched this year, following an earlier announcement in May seeking developers for the airport.

Addressing the people of Mathiveri after the signing, the President confirmed that MACL would invest in the dredging necessary for the airport's construction. He assured the community that all airport works are projected to be completed within two and a half years. The comprehensive project will involve dredging 26.5 hectares of land and developing a 1,500-meter long and 30-meter wide runway, a taxiway, an apron, a passenger terminal, a fire station, and essential access roads.

Mathiveri is a prominent tourist destination within the Maldives, and the atoll itself is a cherished tourist attraction. Currently, the nearest airport serving the atoll is located in South Ari Atoll Maamigili.

However, the rapid development of numerous airports across the Maldives has drawn criticism from opposition parties and environmental groups, who express growing concerns.

In parallel with the airport development, the President also addressed the increasing demand for picnic islands across the country. He revealed that several islands have requested the establishment of dedicated picnic spots, noting that similar proposals are emerging from prominent tourism-focused islands where locals lack suitable recreational areas.

Emphasizing that many island families currently lack spaces for quality time, picnics, or entertaining guests, the President announced the decision to develop a dedicated picnic island in every atoll across the country.

While one island will be specifically developed for picnics across all atolls, individual picnic islands are also being developed for separate islands.

During his visit to A.A. Feridhoo on Tuesday, the President signed an agreement for the development of a picnic island and a boatyard area on that particular island. It is worth noting that some atolls have already established islands where residents can enjoy picnics.

In addition, Bank of Maldives (BML) has on Tuesday also set up ATM services on all inhabited islands of North Ari Atoll, Maalhos being the final stop for this atoll.

The new ATMs are being established as part of ‘Mulhi Raajje ah BML ATM’ initiative launched in 2024, aimed at expanding ATM services to all residential islands of the Maldives by the end of this year.