Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed has announced the runway is scheduled to come into operation on September 18. Responding to rumours spread about the quality of the runway, speaking at a press conference held, Economic Minister stated there is no runway of better quality, in any airport in this region, at the moment.
Noting your own country should never be the scapegoat in times of personal distress, Economic Minister said defaming your own country while holding a Maldivian passport are lowly acts. Minister expressed the airport runway is developed according to the standards of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and added the runway is ready for test flights.
Meanwhile, Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Adil Moosa expressed disappointment about rumours spread regarding development of runway. Adil Moosa urged them to examine statements thoroughly before criticising and defaming the company.
Noting that airlines before landing flights to runway will check if it meets the necessary requirements, Adil Moosa assured the runway fits ICAO standards. Adil Moosa also stated commercial operations would begin at the runway within two to months. With the number of tourist arrivals increasing annually and surpassing 1 million, the government is expanding the main international airport in Maldives.
The new runway measures 3,400 metres long and 60 metres wide. Construction of runway is undertaken by China's Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG). The project is financed by a USD 400 million loan taken from China's Exim Bank. In addition to the runway, construction of fuel farm and a cargo facility are underway. Once completed, the fuel farm can hold 45 million litres of fuel and the cargo facility can house 80,000 tonnes.