WORK on a major airport development in one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations is nearing completion.
It is hoped that the $800m (£620m) expansion will open up new parts of the island nation, and have a “transformative effect” on the local economy by boosting tourist numbers.
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The Maldives is high up on a lot of travellers’ bucket lists, and it’s easy to see why.
Crystal clear waters surrounding small sandy islets, with individual bungalows built right on the shoreline make it one of the most sought after holiday experiences.
And from the end of this year, there will be more opportunities for people to visit.
Work on a huge expansion project at Hanimaadhoo Airport in the north of the country is nearing completion, and will soon be able to accommodate a lot more passengers than it currently can.
The travel hub, which is being expanded with the help of the Indian Government, is soon going to be the owner of a 1.6 mile-long runway, a 1.3 million-passenger per year terminal, and a jet fuel storage facility.
There will also be a sea terminal building, with the airport sitting right along the shore of the island.
The terminal will be a two-level building, with passenger processing areas on the ground floor and lounges, duty-free outlets and food and beverage outlets on the first floor.
Modern facilities like VIP waiting lounges, prayer rooms, seating areas and baby care facilities are all included in the plans.
The terminal is designed in the shape of a stingray to respect local heritage and the nation’s strong connection with sea life.
Meanwhile, the sea terminal will be a two-level jetty terminal building, with jetties for parking seaplanes and to provide anchorage for ferries.
A very specific update from the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure has suggested that as much as 67.5 per cent of the work has been completed.
It is hoped that the rest of the work will be finished by November this year, although some estimates suggest it could be closer to March next year before the terminal is open and handling passengers.
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Some major milestones have already been reached in the project, including the return of some flights, which resumed in April this year.
The flights had been suspended from and to the airport to allow the expansion to be completed quicker.
The runway is virtually finished and planes are already using it to land and take off.
A new air traffic control tower is close to completion, while the terminal requires the most work.
New airport roads and other important infrastructure is also being built to aid people getting to and from the airport, as well as allowing airport workers access to the runways.
The airport is built to allow for landing of A320 and Boeing 737 flights, with hopes that it will make that part of the archipelago more accessible.
The High Commissioner of India to the Maldives Munu Mahawar said of the expansion: “This project will have a transformative impact on the entire northern region of Maldives.
“It will improve connectivity, it will boost tourism, it will also stimulate other economic activities.”
Meanwhile, this closed down UK airport is hoping to welcome back flights very soon.
And flights could soon return to this airport in a popular tourism hotspot.
