Gov’t Begins Renovation of Kooddoo Airport Following Suspension of Maldivian Flights
The government has initiated a renovation project for Kooddoo Airport after the state-owned airline, Maldivian, suspended its flights to the island due to prolonged maintenance issues.
މޯލްޑިވިއަން އިން ކޫއްޑޫއަށް ދަތުރުތައް ހުއްޓާލަން ނިންމީ ދިގުމުއްދަތެއްގައި އެއަރޕޯރޓް މެއިންޓެއިން ނުކުރެވި އަދި ރަންވޭގެ ޙާލަތުގެ ސަބަބުން، މޯލްޑިވިއަންގެ ދެ ބޯޓަކަށް ވީގެއްލުމާ ގުޅިގެން. މިނިސްޓްރީގެ އިސް ނެގުމާއެކު، ސިވިލް އޭވިއޭޝަން އޮތޯރިޓީއާއި، އެއަރޕޯޓް އޮޕަރޭޓަރ އަދި… pic.twitter.com/dRXpjsS2S8
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Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, announced on social media platform X that Maldivian decided to halt flights following extended neglect of the airport’s upkeep. He explained that the runway’s deteriorated state had caused damage to two of the airline’s aircraft.
In response, the Ministry of Transport, in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Kooddoo Airport operator, has launched efforts to repair and improve the airport’s infrastructure. Minister Ameen expressed confidence that the renovation work would be completed promptly, allowing for the resumption of flights.
Island Aviation’s Deputy Managing Director, Ali Saleem, also confirmed the suspension of flights, citing the condition of the runway and apron as the primary reasons. He noted that further operations posed risks to both the fleet and passenger safety, with two aircraft already sustaining damage.
Kooddoo Airport originally opened in 2012 and underwent expansion in 2017 to accommodate larger aircraft and jets.
