Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has revealed that the first test flight has successfully landed in the airport developed in Faresmaathoda, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, before the official opening.
Minister of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure Mohamed Aslam, Managing Director of Fenaka Corporation Limited Ahmed Saeed Mohamed, Managing Director of Regional Airports Company Limited Mohamed Rizvi, and Deputy Managing Director of Island Aviation Service Limited (IASL) Aishath Jennifer landed in Faresmaathoda Airport on the test flight.
The government is preparing to officially open Faresmaathoda Airport on March 15. The airport will be inaugurated by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at a special ceremony.
Faresmaathoda Airport is developed to cater to domestic flights. The planning ministry contracted the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to complete the project at a cost of about USD10 million. The project involved the development of a 1,200m runway, a taxiway, and an apron, along with the construction of a terminal building and a fire building.