A major development project is set to begin at Dharavandhoo Airport in Baa Atoll, with local firm Epoch Associates Pvt Ltd awarded the contract for design and consultancy services to expand and modernise the airport terminal.
The agreement was signed by Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services Limited (IASL), and Muaviyath Abdul Sattar, Managing Director of Epoch Associates, marking a key milestone in fulfilling a presidential pledge to upgrade regional aviation infrastructure.
IASL Deputy Managing Director Ali Saleem said the design phase of the project is expected to be completed within 45 days, following which construction work will commence. The planned upgrades include the expansion of the arrivals hall, installation of new check-in counters and baggage handling belts, the addition of a café in the departure area and the construction of an additional departure gate.
The existing terminal building will also undergo a complete renovation, with the overall development covering approximately 814 square metres. Saleem noted that the project is expected to significantly improve passenger experience while boosting Baa Atoll’s economy by bringing the airport closer to international standards and supporting the region’s resort and guesthouse tourism sector.
Operational for 14 years, Dharavandhoo Airport has experienced a substantial increase in passenger traffic driven by the growth of tourism, making the expansion essential for sustainable development in the atoll.