Hanimaadhoo International Airport and Velana International Airport should be given to a private company, former President Mohamed Nasheed said on Sunday night (January 4).

Speaking at a campaign event for opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s Ali Azim for the Male' city mayoral primary, Nasheed said it is a good decision to hand over Hanimaadhoo Airport to an Indian company.

Nasheed indirectly ridiculed the government officials for previously opposing the handover of Velana International Airport to India's GMR when he was in power. But he said he would not label it a u-turn because it was a good decision.

"Now I am hearing that the government wants to give Hanimaadhoo airport operations to a successful Indian company. That is a very good decision. But it makes me laugh a little bit because of the things these people said to oppose this policy," Nasheed stated.

Last Friday, Nasheed said that the establishment of a regional airline and making Hanimaadhoo airport as the main hub for the airline would increase benefits for Maldivians and bring development to the north of the country.

Nasheed also said that the Velana International Airport is running with a huge debt which is paid by the people's money and said it should be done in a way that will bring prosperity to the people.