Airport MOU for GA. Villingili Terminated as Non-Viable
24 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ހޯމަ 11:28The Ministry of Infrastructure has confirmed that the Memorandum of Understanding signed with a Belgian company to develop an international airport in GA. Villingili has been voided due to a lack of progress. Despite this setback, the government maintains that design work and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are currently underway, asserting that the airport will be completed and operational within the current presidential term.
President Muizzu addresses the residents of GA. Vilingili following the signing ceremony for the development of an international airport on the island, held on February 22, 2024. | President's Office
The memorandum of understanding signed to develop an international airport in GA. Vilingili has ultimately proven to be entirely baseless.
It has been reported that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on February 22, 2024, during a ceremony attended by President Muizzu in Villingili, has been voided due to a total lack of progress in its implementation.
More than two years after the initial Memorandum of Understanding was signed, the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure has announced that preparations are underway to begin land reclamation and infrastructure development for the proposed international airport in GA. Villingili. The Ministry stated that physical works will commence immediately upon the completion of the design phase and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
No specific date has been disclosed for the completion of these formalities or the commencement of physical works.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu pledged on August 28, 2023, to develop an international airport in Villingili, Gaafu Alif Atoll, incorporating the nearby reef of Ekefaru. Highlighting the ambitious scale of the project, the President announced that the airport in the atoll capital would be built on reclaimed land through an extensive dredging operation. Furthermore, President Muizzu stated that a major housing project would also be launched on the newly reclaimed land.
During a meeting with the residents of GA. Vilingili on February 22, 2024, President Muizzu oversaw the signing of an agreement with the Belgian company NV Besix SA to develop an international airport on the island. The agreement was signed by Business Development Manager Sav Dolmans on behalf of the company, while Minister of Construction and Infrastructure Dr. Abdulla Muththalib signed on behalf of the Maldivian government.
Agreement to be signed with Belgian company NV Besix SA for the development of an international airport in Vilingili.
The President's Office has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop an international airport in GA. Villingili. Under this MoU, both parties will engage in further discussions to finalize a formal agreement.
President Muizzu meets with the residents of GA. Villingili | President's Office
However, the Ministry of Infrastructure has confirmed to RaajjeTV that no progress was made under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with NV Besix SA, nor has any work commenced on the agreement previously cited by the President's Office. On the contrary, the MoU has now been officially terminated.
"Since the signing of the physical works agreement was contingent upon securing the necessary project funding, no progress was made under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). That MoU has now been terminated," the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development stated in a written response to RaajjeTV on August 24, 2026.
As the government approaches its three-year mark, no physical progress has been made on the promised international airport and large-scale housing project in GA. Vilingili. Despite this, the government maintains that the projects have not stalled and insists that the airport is scheduled to be completed and operational within the current presidential term.
During a meeting with the residents of Vilingili on February 22, 2024, President Muizzu assured the community that he would complete all development projects for the island, ensuring they transition from long-standing unfulfilled dreams into reality.
