Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of India and Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, arrived in the Maldives on Sunday to participate in the official inauguration of Hanimaadhoo International Airport.

Minister Naidu was warmly received at Velana International Airport by the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel. During his visit, he will co-officiate the inauguration of the airport, a landmark project funded under India’s Line of Credit assistance, in a special ceremony scheduled for later Sunday at Hanimaadhoo.

Accompanying Minister Naidu is a business delegation representing India’s civil aviation sector, highlighting the significance of the project for regional connectivity and bilateral cooperation.

Hanimaadhoo International Airport, developed by India’s JMC Projects at a cost of USD 136.6 million, features a 2,465-metre runway capable of accommodating large Code C aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.

Designed to blend with the natural beauty of the Maldives, the airport is expected to serve up to 1.3 million passengers annually, strengthening the country’s tourism infrastructure and international accessibility.

Construction on the project began in January 2023, marking a significant step in India-Maldives cooperation in aviation and infrastructure development.