Physical development of the Gaafu Alifu Villingili International Airport and its integrated 17-resort tourism zone is scheduled to begin next month under a newly restructured contract, the Ministry of Tourism has announced.
Speaking during the ninth session of the public Ahaa Forum on Sunday evening, Tourism Minister Mohamed Ameen stated that the government is finalizing contractual arrangements to mobilize civil construction on the long-delayed southern infrastructure mega-project.
Transition from previous international contractor
The ambitious aviation and hospitality master plan for Villingili was originally contracted in February 2024 to Belgian construction conglomerate BESIX under an agreement valued at approximately USD 750 million. The company is internationally recognized for major civil engineering landmarks, including Dubai's Burj Khalifa.
While Minister Ameen confirmed that the earlier agreement had been dissolved in favor of a new development partner, the ministry did not publicly elaborate on the commercial considerations that prompted the change in contracting parties:
"We are preparing to sign a new contract to commence this vital project. Our target is to mobilize construction teams on Villingili next month to ensure the project moves forward without further delay," Minister Ameen affirmed during the forum broadcast.
Scope of southern infrastructure hub
The Villingili development represents one of the largest regional infrastructure investments planned for Huvadhoo Atoll. The master plan incorporates a 3,400-metre runway capable of handling widebody long-haul commercial passenger aircraft, a dedicated heliport, a deep-water yacht marina, and an integrated tourism zone comprising 17 resort properties.
Government economic planners project that the 17 surrounding resort developments will add approximately 5,000 tourist beds to the southern atolls upon completion. Authorities emphasize that the international gateway will drastically shorten transfer times for international holidaymakers visiting southern properties while creating direct aviation and hospitality employment for local island residents.
