Hanimaadhoo Airport Under the able guidance of the President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom the implementation of the project towards the development of the country was entrusted to the then Minister of Trade and Industries Honorable Ilyas Ibrahim, who was also the Minister of State for Defense and National Security.

Honorable Mr. Ilyas Ibrahim is at present the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation). When the Hanimaadhoo Airport was opened the newly introduced Donier aircrafts to Maldivian aviation has shortened the duration of time spent to travel from Malé to Hanimaadhoo to a mere forty five minutes compared to the five arduous days spent traveling in sailing boats or twenty hours if it is in an ordinary mechanized dhoni. The construction of this airport has been so smoothly carried out under the guidance and leadership of Honorable Mr. Ilyas Ibrahim

with the support of all those who worked tirelessly to make Hanimaadhoo Airport a reality.
It is very heartening to note some of the names of the people who have participated in making this a reality. Captain Filladhoo Hussain Manik of National Security Service deserves a special mention for his contribution towards the completion of the airport. Lieutenant Colonel Shaukath Ibrahim and Captain Ahmed Zahir also need to be remembered for the excellent services they rendered. Mr. Ahmed Mahreen, Mr Ahmed Tahufeeq and Mr. Kun’di Ali Saleem have to be mentioned for the major roles played by them. In addition, the contributions made by the Ministry of Defense and National Security, State Trading Organization, the then Haa Dhaal Atoll Chief and the inhabitants of Hanimaadhoo are note-worthy. Like all other airports in Maldives, this airport is also operating under the Maldives Airports Company Ltd, which is under the umbrella of Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation. His Excellency President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom opened Hanimaadhoo airport on 28th October 1990. The first flight to land at this airport was Sky van of Air Maldives. The length of Hanimaadhoo airport was 1,212 meters.
 

How the Hanimaadhoo Airport project progressed. The task of constructing the runway was contracted out to Japanese company Seiki Tokyo Komyoon the 11th of October 1988; the contract being valued at US$ 630,000. Work on the runway was started on the 20th of November 1988 and was completed on the 7th of November 1989.

Except for the construction of the runway, Maldivians undertook all the other construction work. The work force had an average of 80 persons and was subjected to increase during the major phases of construction.

Hanimaadhoo Airport in a glance.

Use of Airport:

Largest aircrafts, which could be handled:

Estimates value spent on the construction of Hanimaadhoo Airport: MRF 25.5 million.