Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has conducted a series of Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) familiarization tours for key stakeholders at the new terminal of Hanimaadhoo International Airport, as part of its final preparations for the official opening scheduled for 9 November 2025.
Ensuring Smooth Passenger Experience
According to MACL, the familiarization sessions were organized to ensure that all operational teams — including ground handling, security, and passenger service units — are fully acquainted with the new facilities, technologies, and operational layouts of the modern terminal.
The ORAT tours are a standard international procedure undertaken before the commissioning of a new airport or terminal. They focus on fine-tuning coordination among all airport departments, improving staff readiness, and testing passenger flow systems to ensure a seamless and efficient travel experience from the first day of operation.
“These tours are an integral part of the ORAT process to ensure that all teams are well-acquainted with the latest advancements and new facilities in the terminal,” MACL said. “This enables a seamless passenger flow once operations begin.”
Final Preparations Underway
The familiarization program follows MACL’s earlier transition of interim operations to the ground floor of the new terminal on October 15. This step was taken to clear the old terminal area and prepare the site for the safe demolition of existing structures within the restricted zone, in compliance with Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) safety standards.
With the ORAT phase now underway, MACL is entering the final phase of operational readiness before the grand opening, which will mark a major milestone in the India-funded redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport.
Strengthening Regional Connectivity
The new Hanimaadhoo terminal — financed under India’s EXIM Bank line of credit — is designed to handle over one million passengers annually and accommodate Code C aircraft, including Airbus A320s and Boeing 737s. Once inaugurated, the facility is expected to become a northern aviation hub, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting the government’s decentralization vision.
The completion of ORAT familiarization activities signals that the new terminal is operationally ready, setting the stage for its official inauguration on November 9, a landmark event for both Maldives and India’s expanding infrastructure partnership.
