Maldivian Airlines halts travels to Koodoo Airport
It has been revealed that Maldivian halted travels to the airport due to the lack of airport maintenance which led to two of the airline’s planes getting damaged on the runway.
Maldivian
Travellers seeking to visit Koodoo or nearby islands have recently been hit with the shocking news of the national airline, Maldivian, cancelling their flights to the Koodoo airport. This comes as a shock, especially for a country like the Maldives where having reliable travel links has always been a cornerstone of developing a successful tourism sector as seamless transport connections are essential for bringing visitors to their destinations.
In addition to the effect it may have on the local tourism industry, in the Maldives, where islands are separated by vast stretches of ocean, strong transport connectivity isn’t just convenient—it’s also crucial. The ability to quickly and efficiently connect travellers to different islands enhances the overall travel experience and supports the country's economic reliance on tourism. The airport was initially opened in 2012 and reopened in 2017 following an expansion project which saw the development of the airport runway to accommodate larger flights and jets. However, it has now been revealed that Maldivian halted travels to the airport due to the lack of airport maintenance which led to two of the airline’s planes getting damaged on the runway. Although the airport was developed in 2017 to bring in more visitors, it appears that in the following years, the airport has been neglected, leading to the decision by Maldivian - finally leading to the Government taking the initiative to start working on renovations.
The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen has now taken to X to state that the ministry along with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Koodoo Airport Operator have now commenced efforts to repair and restore the airport to better conditions. Additionally, the minister also expressed his confidence in the work being renovated soon which will result in the resumption of flights to the airport by Maldivian.
The issue really goes to highlight the critical importance of maintaining infrastructure that supports the tourism and travel sector, especially in a country like the Maldives where transportation is the lifeblood connecting islands and travellers. As the government and relevant authorities work swiftly to renovate and restore the Koodoo Airport, there is hope that the resumption of flights will soon follow.
