Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed has said the Hanimaadhoo International Airport, which he previously described as a "burden", is a "lifeline for development."

Saeed was a member of the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) when he said the Hanimaadhoo airport runway was designed for military purposes.

"USD 135 million from our budget to build a large military runway that Hanimaadhoo does not need. When India forces us to accept this, does this not become a burden?" he said during a rally.

The PPM at the time alleged that the Hanimaadhoo airport was being developed for Indian military purposes with plans to set up a military base.

But speaking to the state broadcaster after the inauguration of the airport last night, Saeed said the airport would revolutionise development in the north.

"The airport that has been opened will become a huge lifeline for development in the north. President Mohamed Muizzu also spoke about investment in the region. He is working on that by providing various concessions," Saeed told Public Service Media (PSM).

The airport was inaugurated, although some work remains incomplete. A special envoy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the ceremony.

The Foreign Ministry said Indian Civil Aviation Union Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu was welcomed by Foreign Minister Abdullah Khaleel.

The airport project, financed by India’s Exim Bank, costs USD 136.6 million. The airport has a runway of 2.46 km and can handle 1.3 million passengers annually.

The government first said the airport would be inaugurated in September, but postponed the inauguration to November.

Although the airport has been inaugurated, sources told Adhadhu that the work will be completed by March 2026 as initially planned.