The Maldivian government has firmly reaffirmed that all international and domestic airports in the country remain under national control, following reports that India has asked its Airports Authority to study a request related to the management of Hanimaadhoo International Airport.
Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen clarified the government’s position in a public statement, stressing that airport operations across the Maldives are managed exclusively by Maldives Civil Aviation Authority approved Maldivian operators. He underscored that the administration remains fully committed to keeping strategic aviation assets under national institutions.
The clarification follows reporting by The Hindu that India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation had written to the Airports Authority of India asking it to study a proposal concerning the engagement of Indian companies in airport management. According to the report, the request was conveyed during the inauguration of Hanimaadhoo International Airport on November 9, 2025, attended by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and India’s Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, who represented Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
While acknowledging close bilateral cooperation with India in infrastructure development, Maldivian officials emphasise that support and partnership do not equate to a transfer of operational control. The government has consistently maintained that aviation sovereignty remains non-negotiable.
India played a key role in the redevelopment of Hanimaadhoo International Airport through a line of credit issued by the EXIM Bank of India, with construction works carried out by JMC Projects at a cost of USD 136.6 million. The upgraded airport features a 2,465-metre runway capable of accommodating Airbus A320 aircraft and a modern passenger terminal designed to handle up to 1.3 million passengers annually, positioning it as a catalyst for economic growth in northern Maldives.
The renewed focus on aviation governance also revives memories of the 2012 termination of a major airport concession involving GMR Group, when the Maldives cancelled a USD 511 million agreement to develop and operate the country’s main international airport. The dispute later resulted in an international arbitration award of USD 270 million in compensation to GMR in 2016, after which airport operations were retained under the state-owned Maldives Airports Company Limited.
Against this historical backdrop, the current administration is signalling continuity and clarity. While welcoming foreign assistance in financing and construction, the Maldives is drawing a firm line on airport management, reinforcing a policy rooted in sovereignty, institutional capacity, and long-term national interest.
