The Thimarafushi Airport on Tuesday inaugurated night landing on their runway, which the Island Aviation Services (IAS) say will greatly bolster tourism in the region.

IAS Managing Director Mohamed Rizwee said that this new facility would likely cause more frequent flying to resorts and guesthouses in the area, in turn creating more jobs and revenue.

Speaking at Tuesday night’s event, State Minister of Transport Ahmed Zuhair said that Maldivian’s new domestic airfare prices and the airport’s night flying facilities will ‘improve’ the lives of residents there.

Zuhair said that the government intends to reduce the cost of transportation for tourists, although he did not reveal any details as to how this would be facilitated.

The national Maldivian airline, run under the IAS, recently reduced domestic airfare in adherance to price bands mandated by the government. 

Education Minister Aishath Ali, Gender Minister Shidhatha Shareef, Kimbidhoo constituency MP Abdulla Riyaz, and Thimarafushi constituency MP Mohamed Musthafa participated in the event.