First Test Flight for New Hanimaadhoo Airport Runway On Sunday

The Regional Airports Company (RAC) has announced that a test flight will land on the new runway being developed at Hanimaadhoo International Airport on Sunday.

The new 2,700 metre runway will be completed next Sunday and test flights will land on a 1,200 metre section. The lighting of the new runway is fully operational, RACL said.

The Hanimaadhoo airport has a 1200 meter runway. The Regional Airports Company said the new runway will begin to be in use because part of the new runway will overlap with the previous runway. The company wants to complete the work without interrupting the operation of the airport.

The project, which costs more than 2 billion MVR, will accommodate Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The airport’s capacity will increase to 1.3 million passengers per year.

The project, which is being carried out with the assistance of Exim Bank of India, includes an air traffic control building, a cargo building and a new passenger terminal.