Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has revealed that several airports are set to be opened across Maldives this year.

Minister Aishath Nahula revealed that several airports are set to be opened as part of the government’s development agenda.

Inauguration of said airports will bring great ease for the transport system, she added.

Set to be opened this year are Madivaru Airport, Kulhudhuffushi Airport, Funadhoo Airport, Maafaru Airport and Maavarulu Airport.

Nahula highlighted the ministry’s hope that the airports in Kulhudhuffushi and Funadhoo will be opened for operations before or during Eid-Al-Adha.

In addition, the ministry is working to open the airport in Maafaru during September.

Further, she said that the ministry will be opening airports in Hoarafushi and Faresmaathodhaa in 2020.

Airports in Maavarulu and Madivaru will be opened before the end of this year, said Nahula, adding that these development projects are proceeding full steam ahead.

Highlighting that the ministry is closely observing the progress, Nahula assured that they will look into any delays, if surfaced. She said that once the ministry receives the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the work to add a part to Maafaru Airport, they will begin the project as well.

Under the current government’s development agenda, it is set to establish international airports in the country after dividing it into five regions. According to the government, citizens will be able to travel to said airports from the islands in the respective regions in under 20 minutes.