Sh. Milandhoo Airport Reclamation Completed in 31 Days

The reclamation phase of the Sh. Milandhoo Airport project has been completed. According to project data, land reclamation began on 3 April 2026 and concluded on 4 May 2026, achieving full completion within a 31‑day operational window.

A total of 21 hectares of new land was reclaimed for the airport platform, matching the planned scope and bringing the overall project footprint including the 4.9‑hectare tree‑clearing zone on the existing island to 25.90 hectares. The works required the dredging and placement of 1,134,534 cubic metres of sand, delivered by the trailing suction hopper dredger Queen of the Netherlands, a high‑capacity vessel with a 35,000‑cubic‑metre hopper.

With reclamation now 100 percent complete, the project will move into ground improvement, platform stabilisation, and the construction of essential airport infrastructure. Once operational, the Sh. Milandhoo Airport is expected to enhance connectivity for northern atolls and support domestic travel, logistics, and economic activity.

While the completion of the Milandhoo reclamation marks a technical achievement, the rapid increase in the number of airports across the Maldives has sparked growing criticism.

Industry observers and economic analysts note that airport construction has become one of the most expensive forms of public infrastructure in the country, driven by high reclamation costs, dredging requirements, and the logistical challenges of building in remote island environments.

Supporters of the expansion programme maintain that improved connectivity is essential for equitable development across the atolls. However, the debate continues as the government pushes forward with multiple airport projects simultaneously, each carrying substantial financial commitments.

As the Milandhoo project advances to its next phase, the broader national conversation around cost, necessity, and long‑term viability of airport proliferation is expected to intensify.