Saturday
15th Aug 2026
Dhivehi Edition
Photo: Maldivian
Island Aviation Services has reopened the tender process to find a contractor to expand and redevelop the passenger terminal at Baa. Dharavandhoo Airport, with the project to be carried out under a contractor-financing arrangement.
Under the newly announced opportunity, interested parties are being invited to submit proposals for the terminal development. Island Aviation has set the deadline for submitting expressions of interest at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, while full project proposals are due on September 10.
The company said preference will be given to contractors with experience in completing similar projects, as well as those that have successfully completed projects valued at more than MVR 50 million. The selected contractor will be required to complete the terminal expansion within 18 months of commencing work.
This is the second time Island Aviation has sought a contractor for the project. The company previously invited expressions of interest in May, but the process did not proceed for various reasons. The government officially handed over the operation and development of Dharavandhoo Airport to Island Aviation on April 1, 2026.
The planned terminal has been designed with a modern architectural concept inspired by the Maldives' underwater scenery. The expanded facility is intended to significantly improve passenger services at the airport, including a larger arrivals hall, self-service check-in kiosks and three boarding gates.
The new terminal is designed to accommodate up to 175 passengers at a time, compared with the airport's current passenger-handling capacity of around 80. It will also include a 75-seat lounge and a dedicated baby-care facility. Once the development is completed, the airport will have the capacity to handle three aircraft simultaneously.
Dharavandhoo Airport currently handles an average of more than eight flights a day and serves as an important gateway to Baa Atoll, which is home to numerous resorts and guesthouses. More than 42,000 flight movements and approximately 1.8 million passengers have been recorded at the airport since its opening.
Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport officially opened on October 17, 2012, after being developed by Coastline Hotels and Resorts. The government subsequently transferred its operation to Island Aviation Services in April this year as part of plans to further develop the airport and improve its services.
The terminal expansion is expected to strengthen passenger services and connectivity in Baa Atoll, while supporting the growing tourism activity in the region.