International flights have resumed at Noonu Atoll Maafaru Airport following its earlier suspension.
The airport, which accommodates a significant number of private jets, reopened its international schedule after a 650-meter extension of the runway.
Maafaru Airport ranks second to Velana International Airport in terms of private jet traffic.
While flights have resumed, expansion of the airport apron is ongoing, carried out by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). This project includes demolishing 453 square meters of existing fire road, removing the topsoil layer over 18,660 square meters, preparing a subbase, constructing a wearing course, and grading and compacting 4,047 square meters.
The Maafaru International Airport officially opened in December 2019. A total of USD 60 million (MVR 925 million) from the Abu Dhabi Fund was spent on developing the airport.
Numerous luxurious resorts are scattered across Noonu atoll, including Velaa Private Island, Cheval Blanc Randheli Resort and Soneva Jani, to name a few.