Minister Ameen Reaffirms Maldivian Control of All Airports Amid Report Claiming Indian Role in Hanimaadhoo

Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen has reaffirmed the Government of Maldives’ unwavering policy that all airports in the country will continue to be operated solely by Maldivian entities approved by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA).

His statement comes amid heightened public debate following Indian media reports suggesting that the Maldives had sought operational assistance from Indian companies for the newly upgraded Hanimaadhoo International Airport.

In a clear and message posted on X, Minister Ameen stated:

The reaffirmation was issued as speculation intensified over a report claiming that India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation had directed the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to study a request from the Maldives for operational support at Hanimaadhoo. According to this, the request was conveyed by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to Indian Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu during the airport’s inauguration on November 9, 2025.

Government Moves to Contain Speculation

Minister Ameen’s intervention appears aimed at preventing misinterpretation of diplomatic exchanges and reinforcing the government’s position that airport operations are a sovereign function. His statement also reflects the political sensitivity surrounding foreign involvement in Maldivian aviation infrastructure, particularly in light of past controversies.

The government has consistently maintained that while foreign partners may support infrastructure development, operational control remains strictly under national institutions.

Hanimaadhoo Airport: A Major India‑Backed Upgrade

The Hanimaadhoo International Airport redevelopment is one of the most significant infrastructure projects undertaken in northern Maldives. Supported through an $800 million line of credit from India’s EXIM Bank, the project was executed by Indian firm JMC Projects at a cost of $136.6 million.

The upgraded airport features:

• A 2,465‑metre runway capable of handling Airbus A320 aircraft

• A new terminal designed to accommodate 1.3 million passengers annually

• Expanded apron capacity and modernised airside systems

The facility is expected to serve as a key driver of economic growth, tourism expansion, and improved connectivity for the northern atolls.

AAI’s Role and India’s Interpretation

AAI, which owns 113 airports in India and manages 26 more on behalf of State governments, has been asked by the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry to examine the alleged Maldivian request. Thirteen AAI airports are operated by private entities such as GMR, GVK, and the Adani Group.

The Indian interpretation of the exchange at the inauguration ceremony has contributed to the current debate, though Maldivian authorities have not confirmed any such request for operational assistance.

Historical Context: The GMR Precedent

The resurfacing of discussions about Indian involvement in airport operations inevitably evokes the 2012 GMR dispute, one of the most consequential episodes in the Maldives’ aviation history.

• In 2010, GMR signed a $511 million agreement to upgrade and operate Velana International Airport.

• In November 2012, the Maldives Cabinet cancelled the deal, declared it void ab initio, and ordered GMR to vacate the airport within seven days.

• In 2014, Beijing Urban Construction Group was awarded the construction contract, and the government announced that airport operations would remain under Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

• In 2016, a Singapore arbitration tribunal ordered the Maldives to pay $270 million in compensation to GMR for wrongful termination.

While the Maldives continues to collaborate with international partners on infrastructure development, the government has made it clear that operational sovereignty is non‑negotiable.