Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has revealed the test flights at Hoarafushi, Haa Alifu Atoll will land on November 16.
Minister of State for Transport Ministry Ahmed Zuhair said test flights will land in Hoarafushi Airport on the 16th of this month and the airport will officially be inaugurated the next day. He added if no issues are identified during the test run, commercial operation will be commenced as early as possible. In addition, he said latest preparations for the officially inauguration are ongoing.
The project to develop Hoarafushi Airport was contracted to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) in early 2019. Dredging and reclamation of 842,200 cubic metres of land required for the airport was commenced in April 2019 and completed in August 2019. Construction of 1,120 metres of revetment as shore protection around the airport was completed in March 2020.
The project also included construction of a 1,200 metre runway, an 8,635 square-metre apron and taxiway, service rads, a 9,473 square-metre parking area, a 1,718 square-metre of fire access roads and 720 metres of airport security and beach fence area, as well as a passenger terminal and fire building.
Upon inauguration, Hoarafushi Airport will become the northernmost airport in the Maldives.