The land reclamation and coastal protection project in Thaa Atoll Guraaidhoo has reached 76 per cent completion, according to the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).
Reclamation work is being carried out to facilitate the development of an airport on the island, with physical works commencing in June 2025. To date, 13.80 hectares of land have been reclaimed.
While dredging operations are being undertaken by MTCC, the airport development project was awarded to the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) in September 2025.
With reclamation now completed, efforts have shifted to protecting the reclaimed area. Revetment works using large boulders are currently underway to safeguard the land from erosion. An additional shipment of 17,000 tonnes of boulders has been delivered for this purpose.
MTCC stated that work is ongoing to install 979 metres of boulder revetment, along with 609 sandbag revetment units. The company added that efforts are being made to complete the remaining works as soon as possible.
During a recent visit to Guraaidhoo, President Mohamed Muizzu stated that the airport is expected to be completed within 22 months and will be operational on Independence Day in 2027.
Guraaidhoo has a population of approximately 1,300 residents.
The government has said the project will bring economic and social benefits not only to the island but to the wider Thaa Atoll, with expectations that improved connectivity will support tourism growth and enhance livelihoods in the region.