The Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen has stated that discussions are ongoing with Villa Air, the operator of Kaadedhdhoo Airport, regarding the implementation of a development project.

This clarification was offered in response to a query from the Member of Parliament for Thinadhoo North, who had inquired whether the development of an international airport at Kaadedhdhoo would involve transferring operational responsibilities to Villa Air, the current operator.

The Minister emphasised that the project was not being managed on behalf of any specific individual or political entity. Rather, the objective is to modernise the airport infrastructure to ensure adequate service provision for the public. He noted that, in accordance with President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s directive, work had commenced as planned on the development of Kaadedhdhoo Airport.

According to the Minister, the Administration has shifted its strategy, deciding to construct a bridge linking Thinadhoo and Kaadedhdhoo, and to develop Kaadedhoo Airport into an international facility. This represents a departure from the previous plan, which involved handing the airport over to a Thai company for the establishment of an international airport in Thinadhoo.

The Minister added that negotiations are underway with the party currently responsible for Kaadedhdhoo Airport. He reiterated that the airport had already been leased to a private company and that the Government’s intention is to develop the facility in alignment with the President’s vision, rather than to operate it under the influence of any particular individual. He further stated that dialogue is ongoing with the relevant stakeholders entrusted with the airport’s management.

In a related development, it was recalled that in February of this year, Villa Air Chairman Qasim Ibrahim had informed the Parliament’s Committee on Economic Affairs of his willingness to relinquish control of Kaadedhdhoo Airport, provided an agreement could be reached that would not be detrimental to either the Government or Villa Air. However, Minister Ameen clarified that no such arrangement had yet been discussed in an official capacity.

It was also noted that Villa Air was initially granted management of Kaadedhdhoo Airport under a 50-year agreement signed with the Government in 2013. That contract was subsequently terminated by the Government in 2017, prompting Villa Air to seek legal redress. The High Court later ruled that the termination had been carried out improperly and upheld the original agreement regarding the airport’s operation.