President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has pledged to develop a new airport on Raa atoll Beriyanfaru island.
Speaking at the inauguration of Addu city Gan airport development project, Solih said the new airport will be on the southern side of Raa atoll.
“The air connectivity project is underway all over the country. As part of this project, the airport for the southern side of Raa atoll will be developed in Beniyanfaru,” he announced.
There are 47 islands near Beriyanfaru of which 10 are inhabited, 15 are tourist resorts and 22 are uninhabited.
Following the announcement, Solih said actual development can be achieved by carrying out projects in different areas across the country simultaneously.
“The government is doing this work. A happy and stable life cannot be found unless the whole country is connected through a land, sea and air network,” he added.
Solih claimed that the ongoing development projects are carried out in a sustainable manner and that this work will benefit future generations.
He further underlined the numerous benefits for Addu city by developing the airport and tourism sector together.
Addu should be developed as a “regional economic hub” in order to bring development to the whole country, Solih claimed.
Gan airport will be developed with a capacity of 1.5 million tourists annually. The project is financed through India Exim Bank.
