Beriyanfaru picked for airport in south R. Atoll

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced the decision to choose Beriyanfaru to develop the airport his administration has planned for southern R. Atoll.

He announced the decision at the inauguration of the physical works on the project to upgrade the Gan International Airport on Sunday.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih said he has decided to build the airport planned for southern R. Atoll – as part of his administration’s vision to connect the entire Maldives via air transport - in Beriyanfaru.

“The airport that will be added to southern R. Atoll as part of this effort will, In Sha Allah, be developed in Beriyanfaru,” he said.

President Solih said his administration is engaged in bringing sustainable development across Maldives, providing a happy future for generations to come.

“The work we do here today is crucial to ensuring equitable rights and a happy life for all Maldivian citizens,” he said.

Planning Ministry has posted an invitation to tender for a USD 23.4 million project to develop a third airport in R. Atoll, but never specified a location.

President Solih’s administration had made the pledge to develop an airport in south R. Atoll due to limited access to many of the islands in the region from the R. Ifuru Airport. The previous administration had also announced plans to develop an airport in the south of the atoll.