President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has inaugurated the physical work of the Gan International Airport.

The inauguration ceremony was held as part of President Solih’s ongoing official visit to the southernmost Addu City, on Sunday.

The ceremony was attended by the high-level delegation of government officials accompanying the president on the trip including Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail, as well as India’s Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan.

President Solih announced plans to develop the Gan International Airport with the capacity to serve 1.5 million tourists on an annual basis, during his presidential address this year. The project is being carried out under the line-of-credit provided by the Exim Bank of India.

India's Renaatus Projects Private Limited was awarded the contract for the expansion project of Gan International Airport, on 5 March 2023.

The agreement was signed by Managing Director Gais Naseer on behalf of the Addu Gan International Airport and Chairman Selvasundaramwas on behalf of Renaatus.

Once completed, the airport will be equipped with all necessary facilities as well as duty free shops, restaurants and lounge facilities.

The project will see the establishment of a passenger terminal with the capacity of serving 1.5 million passengers annually, a cold storage and cargo facilities as well as a control tower, fire station, a parking zone and roads.

According to the economic ministry, the project is one that will bring significant socioeconomic growth to the south and expand Addu City’s role in the development of Maldives.

The project has also been dubbed one that will link the southernmost city to the international community. It is also expected to boost tourism and increase economic activity in the south.