All operations at Hanimaadhoo International Airport were moved to the newly built terminal on Wednesday, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said.
MACL said the relocation was carried out in line with Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) standards as part of preparations for the official opening of the upgraded airport. The company said nearby buildings and tall structures would be removed to ensure runway clearance and meet safety requirements.
With the change, all passenger and operational services previously handled at the old terminal are now managed on the ground floor of the new terminal. MACL said it had informed the island council and relevant authorities about the move.
The company added that the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process is underway to ensure the terminal meets national and international standards before and after the official opening.
The Hanimaadhoo International Airport Development Project features a 2,465-metre runway capable of accommodating Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, and a terminal with an annual capacity of 1.3 million passengers. Once complete, the airport will handle direct flights from the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Africa.
The first 1,200-metre section of the runway became operational earlier this year, and the remaining section is now ready for use. A new 42,000-square-metre apron has also been completed. A seaplane terminal will be developed under the second phase to connect visitors directly to northern resorts.
The US$136.6 million project, launched under the former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) government, aims to boost tourism and economic activity across the northern Bodu Thiladhunmathi region.
The official opening of the new Hanimaadhoo terminal is scheduled for 9 November.