Nasheed Says Regional Airline Hub at Hanimaadhoo Could Transform the North

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that handing over Hanimaadhoo International Airport to a regional airline could lead to significant development across the Maldives’ northern region.

In a tweet on X, Nasheed stated that Hanimaadhoo Airport should be developed as a hub for a regional airline and operated in close coordination with such an airline. He said this would bring substantial benefits to Maldivians and, as a result, accelerate economic and social development across the Greater North.

Nasheed’s remarks come amid reports in sections of the Indian media claiming that the government of President Mohamed Muizzu is considering assigning the operation of Hanimaadhoo International Airport to an Indian company.

According to The Hindu, during the official ceremony held in November to inaugurate Hanimaadhoo International Airport at international standards, President Muizzu had requested India’s Civil Aviation Minister to consider managing the airport.

However, Maldives’ Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, has rejected these reports, stating on social media today that the claims are false and misleading. He stressed that the government has not made any such request and dismissed the reports as baseless.