Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has officially signed an agreement with Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) to develop an airport in R. Fainu.
The contract was signed on Sunday morning by MACL’s CEO and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shareef, and MTCC’s Managing Director, Ahmed Saudee. The signing ceremony was also attended by Inguraidhoo MP, Ibrahim Falah.
The plan to develop an airport in Fainu was initially introduced by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. However, it faced strong opposition from environmentalists, leading to the formation of the ‘Save Fainu’ movement, which raised concerns about the project’s potential irreversible impact on the island’s ecosystem.
In response to these concerns, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih proposed relocating the airport to an uninhabited island near Fainu. Despite this decision, no tangible progress was made on the project during his administration.
During his 2023 presidential campaign, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged to build the airport in Fainu if elected. In January, while visiting the island, he reiterated his commitment, emphasizing that the project would significantly boost the region’s economy by creating resorts and employment opportunities. He also expressed hopes of inaugurating the airport during his next visit to Fainu.