Unlocking Idle Airports: Why Maldives Should Let Gulf Airlines Operate Hanimaadhoo and Gan

An opinion article argues the Maldives should grant operational access of Hanimaadhoo and Gan international airports to Middle Eastern carriers to create a three-gateway system, expand national aviation capacity and diversify tourism beyond Malé. It cites existing airport infrastructure, record arrivals and Gulf airlines' global connectivity as the basis for the proposal.

Tracked exceeding 2 million per year Tourist arrivals

First reported 20 Mar 2026, 11:55

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Sources 1carried it 1 of 19 news outlets we monitor

Figures8as written, with their sentences

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How the reporting differs

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The StandardNews outletOpinion

Unlocking Idle Airports: Why Maldives Should Let Gulf Airlines Operate Hanimaadhoo and Gan

2,465-metre Hanimaadhoo runway length

20 Mar, 11:55 First Open at outlet

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Figures in these reports

as written, with the sentence they come from

2,465-metre Hanimaadhoo runway length The Standard
A 2,465-metre runway suitable for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft
Word for word from the report in The Standard. Open the report
over 1 million annually Hanimaadhoo annual passenger handling capacity The Standard
Passenger handling capacity of over 1 million annually
Word for word from the report in The Standard. Open the report
USD 130 million Hanimaadhoo investment The Standard
Investment exceeding USD 130 million
Word for word from the report in The Standard. Open the report
3,400-metre Gan runway length The Standard
A 3,400-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft
Word for word from the report in The Standard. Open the report
more than 150 global destinations Global destinations connected via Gulf hubs The Standard
they connect the Maldives to more than 150 global destinations
Word for word from the report in The Standard. Open the report
over 7 million passengers annually Velana annual passenger capacity The Standard
Velana International Airport, which now can handle over 7 million passengers annually
Word for word from the report in The Standard. Open the report
exceeding 2 million per year Annual tourist arrivals The Standard
With tourist arrivals exceeding 2 million per year and rising, this model is reaching its limits.
Word for word from the report in The Standard. Open the report
up to 30 percent Share of travel costs from domestic transfers The Standard
Reduce dependence on domestic transfers, which can account for up to 30 percent of travel costs
Word for word from the report in The Standard. Open the report

Subjects

sectors and approved topics, alphabetical

Tourism & hospitality Transport & ports

Places

alphabetical

Gan Hanimaadhoo

Named in these reports

alphabetical

Gan International Airport Hanimaadhoo International Airport Middle Eastern carriers Velana International Airport