Former President Mohamed Nasheed has criticized President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s airport development policy, describing it as financially untenable and a sign of poor transport planning.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nasheed said the government’s approach to building airports “where speedboats can reach” reflects a lack of vision and responsibility, questioning the logic behind constructing airports in such close proximity.
President Muizzu has pledged to ensure that every inhabited island is within 30 minutes of an airport, a central promise of his administration’s transport policy. As part of this initiative, Muizzu has recently inaugurated airport construction projects in Milandhoo, Bilehfahi, and Komandoo during his visit to Shaviyani Atoll a region that already hosts the Funadhoo Airport, with another project underway in Makunudhoo, contracted to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).
Nasheed pointed out that the northern atolls of Haa Alif and Haa Dhaalu already have four operational airports Hanimaadhoo International Airport, Kulhudhuffushi Airport, Hoarafushi Airport, and Funadhoo Airport with four more under development.
He warned that the clustering of airports within short distances often 19 to 36 minutes by speedboat would result in reduced flight frequencies, hurting both local communities and tourism.
“Maldivian airline already proved reducing hops improved profitability,” Nasheed wrote, referring to the national carrier’s experience in consolidating domestic routes for greater efficiency.
Nasheed’s comments come amid growing criticism of the Muizzu administration’s infrastructure spending, with economists and opposition figures warning that the government’s ambitious plans lack proper feasibility studies and could worsen the country’s financial situation.
