A petition has been filed at the Ministry of Tourism over an airport project in Fainu island of Raa atoll.

Over 140 residents of Fainu signed the petition, which was also filed at Universal Enterprises and Island Aviation.

According to reports, 'Fainu residents would lose access to two-thirds of the island, and 57 football fields worth of vegetation would be destroyed to make way for an airport and hotel project'.

Speaking to the media after filing the petitions, the leading activist in the Save Fainu movement, Mohamed Waheed said that island's residents are yet to informed of the details of the project. He added that this is a major concern for them.

Noting that the livelihood of islanders are "at stake" due to the project, Waheed emphasized that some islanders were not able to sign the petition over fear of losing their jobs.

He also highlighted that there are some that "support" the project, but added that these people do not believe that they will lose access to most of the island.

Announcing the project, Tourism Minister Moosa Zameer had said that the airport will be funded through a loan by Island Aviation, as well as with the assistance of "some resorts". The 1.2km runway will come with a city-hotel as well. The total cost of the airport is estimated at MVR 120 million.