The successful completion of Muli Airport in Meemu Atoll was marked on Friday with the landing of a test flight, signalling a significant milestone for the long-anticipated infrastructure project.

A Dash-8 aircraft operated by national carrier Maldivian touched down at the newly built domestic airport as part of pre-operational assessments required ahead of commercial services. The airport is located on Muli Island, the capital of Meemu Atoll, and features a 1,500-metre runway.

Development of the airport began in 2021, with 36 hectares of land reclaimed for the project. The Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) carried out the construction at a cost exceeding MVR 300 million.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is expected to officially inaugurate the airport in the coming days.

Residents welcomed the arrival of the test flight with traditional performances, celebrating the long-awaited introduction of air services to the atoll. Equipped with modern facilities, the airport is expected to transform regional connectivity and spur economic opportunities across the central atoll.