Land reclamation for the proposed Dhidhdhoo Airport has officially commenced, with operations being carried out using what is described as the world’s largest dredger.

A ceremony was held in Dhidhdhoo today to mark the start of the project, where Finance Minister Moosa Zameer formally inaugurated the reclamation works.

The airport project is one of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s key pledges and fulfills a promise long discussed by previous governments but not realized.

Authorities say the development aims to improve connectivity and support regional growth.

To accelerate the work, a dredger capable of pumping up to 46,000 cubic meters of sand in a single operation has been deployed at the site.

Reclamation activities continued even as the ceremony was underway.

The project is being implemented by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which will also oversee construction and later manage airport operations.

According to MACL, the initiative will create 115 hectares of new land an area that will exceed the island’s current size.