The government is moving forward with plans to establish a domestic airport in Mathiveri, Alifu Alifu Atoll, formally inviting expressions of interest from local and international investors. The atoll remains one of the few in the country without air connectivity, a gap government officials aim to address through this initiative.
The Ministry of Construction, Housing and Infrastructure is seeking proposals from entities with demonstrable financial capacity and technical expertise. Submissions, according to the ministry, will be accepted until 15 June, with the selected party expected to play a pivotal role in advancing the project.
Ministry officials have outlined a cross-subsidisation model, allowing the chosen investor to offset initial costs through commercially viable components integrated into the development. Additional financing approaches, including contractor financing, public-private partnerships (PPP), and loan-based models, are also under consideration, the ministry said.
Plans for the airport include a 1,500-metre-long, 30-metre-wide runway, alongside critical infrastructure such as a taxiway, apron, passenger terminal, fire station, and service roads. The scope extends to essential facilities designed to ensure operational efficiency.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has placed infrastructure expansion at the centre of his administration's agenda, reaffirming last year that the Mathiveri airport project would move forward in 2025. He underscored its economic viability, highlighting its role in strengthening the tourism sector and fostering broader economic growth.