Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that building an airport on every island poses a major obstacle to the development of the Maldives.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) today, following the opening of Muli Airport, Nasheed stressed the importance of establishing an efficient transport system to connect islands rather than constructing airports on each one. He argued that such a scattered approach hinders sustainable national development.
Nasheed criticised the quality of the airport developed in Kulhudhuffushi during President Yameen's administration and said plans to build airports in other islands, including Thinadhoo and Fainu, are misguided.
“It would be wrong to build an airport in Thinadhoo. It is not good to build an airport in Fainu,” he wrote.
While the government had previously signed an agreement with a Thai company to develop an international airport in Thinadhoo, the project has since shifted direction, with plans now underway to connect Thinadhoo and Kaadedhdhoo via a bridge and establish an international airport hub.
Work on Fainu Airport began during President Yameen’s term, but was halted under President Solih. The current administration has resumed the project and handed it over to MTCC.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) today, following the opening of Muli Airport, Nasheed stressed the importance of establishing an efficient transport system to connect islands rather than constructing airports on each one. He argued that such a scattered approach hinders sustainable national development.
Nasheed criticised the quality of the airport developed in Kulhudhuffushi during President Yameen's administration and said plans to build airports in other islands, including Thinadhoo and Fainu, are misguided.
“It would be wrong to build an airport in Thinadhoo. It is not good to build an airport in Fainu,” he wrote.
While the government had previously signed an agreement with a Thai company to develop an international airport in Thinadhoo, the project has since shifted direction, with plans now underway to connect Thinadhoo and Kaadedhdhoo via a bridge and establish an international airport hub.
Work on Fainu Airport began during President Yameen’s term, but was halted under President Solih. The current administration has resumed the project and handed it over to MTCC.
