Adhaalath Party President Sheikh Imran Abdulla has said that the Maldives’ main international airport cannot be left for the government to do whatever it wants.

In a post shared on social media, Imran described Velana International Airport as the most important strategic asset owned by the Maldivian people, serving as the country’s main gateway and a symbol of national effort. He emphasized that the airport is also the backbone of the nation’s tourism-driven economy.

Imran warned that mortgaging the airport and taking large loans in its name for unrelated political purposes could lead to loan defaults, the loss of the airport, and the collapse of the tourism sector.

He urged Maldivian businesses and the public to act before it is too late, saying it is time to stand up and stop such actions.

His remarks follow the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) establishing a new subsidiary, Peninsula Infrastructure, earlier this month to undertake dredging and infrastructure projects. The company, led by MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, has announced plans to bring in three dredgers this year.