Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced plans to introduce a seaplane service at Hanimaadhoo International Airport in the near future.

The decision comes as part of a broader Government initiative to consolidate the management of regional airports under MACL. Deputy Managing Director of MACL, Mujthaba Latheef, confirmed that a share swap agreement between the Privatisation and Corporatisation Board (PCB), Regional Airports, and MACL is scheduled to be signed this week.

"Hanimadhoo wants to become a profitable airport," Latheef stated. "A seaplane service is crucial for this, and it will also pave the way for the development of an international airport in the future."

The Hanimaadhoo International Airport project, currently underway, is expected to be completed by February 2025. The new 2,465-metre runway is expected to accommodate larger aircrafts capable of carrying 250-300 passengers.

This significant infrastructure development is poised to stimulate economic growth in atolls. With an estimated cost of USD 136.6 million, the airport is projected to handle 1.3 million passengers annually once fully operational.