The government has completed land reclamation for a new airport in Dhidhdhoo, a project central to President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s infrastructure programme. The operation reclaimed 112 hectares of land within fifty days of its commencement, a timeline the president underscored in his announcement on social media. Work began on 4 January and was carried out using the Leiv Eiriksson, a trailing suction hopper dredger internationally recognised for its capacity of 46,000 cubic metres.
The Dhidhdhoo Airport project was explicitly included in a presidential decree mandating the construction of 15 new airports during the current administration. During a visit to Dhidhdhoo in January 2025, President Muizzu told residents that the airport would proceed as a matter of special priority, describing it as the most critical project for both the island and the surrounding region. He noted that the development is inseparable from long-term strategic planning for the Haa Alifu Atoll, situating the airport within a broader vision for national connectivity.
The reclamation has also generated land designated for housing and commercial activity, reflecting its dual purpose. Dhidhdhoo, with a registered population of 5,000 but an actual resident population closer to 7,000, has long faced demographic pressures. The island functions as a regional hub, drawing families who relocate permanently to access healthcare and education. That role has only grown more pronounced as the wider Haa Alifu Atoll, comprising 14 inhabited islands, sustains a population of approximately 16,000.
Officials have framed the airport as a cornerstone of plans to establish an integrated development zone across the four northernmost atolls. The facility is expected to streamline transportation networks and stimulate economic growth, extending benefits beyond Dhidhdhoo to neighbouring communities including Vashafaru, Filladhoo, Kelaa, Muraidhoo, Baarah, and Utheemu. Until now, Hoarafushi Airport has been the sole aviation hub serving the atoll.