Transport Minister Ameen Discusses Major Airport and Infrastructure Expansion in Fuvahmulah

Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen met with the Fuvahmulah City Council to discuss plans to expand Fuvahmulah Airport services and strengthen the island’s overall transport network. The meeting took place as part of the Minister’s official visit to the city.

During the session, Mayor Ismail Rafeeq and council members joined the Minister in signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Transport. The agreement sets out initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of transport services available to residents and improving connectivity across the city.

In a statement shared on social media, Minister Ameen highlighted that discussions focused not only on airport development but also on improving land and sea transport services in line with the government’s broader strategy to upgrade transport networks nationwide. He emphasized that these measures will deliver better services for residents while generating wider benefits for Fuvahmulah.

Fuvahmulah Airport, which is operated by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), has been undergoing assessments in recent months. Earlier this month, on 6 September, MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed led a team to inspect the airport and hold talks with the City Council. That visit addressed operational challenges, resource and equipment needs, as well as the importance of conducting a detailed study into the airport’s current condition.

Both the Council and MACL also discussed ways to modernize airport services. Since its opening in November 2011, the airport—with its 1,200-metre runway—has played a key role in connecting the island. Previous studies have explored the possibility of extending the runway to 1,800 metres to accommodate jet landings, expanding the passenger terminal, and developing a tourism hub adjacent to the airport.