Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has been awarded the airport projects at Vilfufushi Island in Thaa (Th) Atoll and Billehfahi Island in Shaviyani (Sh) Atoll. Agreements were signed between the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure and MTCC during separate events held at the respective Islands on Thursday.
The Billehfahi Airport agreement was signed on behalf of the current administration by State Minister Ibrahim Nazeem and on behalf of MTCC by Deputy Managing Director Hassan Muguni.
Under the MVR 256 million agreement, a 1,500-metre runway, passenger terminal, office building and fire building will be constructed at Billehfahi.
The Vilfufushi Airport agreement was signed on behalf of the current administration by State Minister Hassan Rasheed and on behalf of MTCC by Chief Project Management Officer Ahmed Latheef.
Under the MVR 277 million agreement, infrastructure including a 1,800-meter runway, a passenger terminal, a fire building, and an administrative building will be constructed on Vilufushi, with an airfield lighting system also to be installed.
The ministry also awarded to MTCC contracts to conduct surveys and environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for the development of airpots at Komandoo Island in Shaviyani (Sh) Atoll and Guraidhoo Island in Thaa (Th) Atoll.
While it is current administration policy to develop a domestic airport within 30 minutes of a inhabited islands, resort or industrial zones, President Mohamed Muizzu had also specifically pledged to develop airports at Milandhoo Island in Shaviyani Atoll as well as the islands of Guraidhoo and Vilfufushi in Thaa (Th) Atoll.