Only five of the 15 airports announced by the Muizzu administration are currently seeing active construction or upgrading work, according to assessments of project status.
The government has presented the expansion of domestic and regional air connectivity as a key part of its development agenda. However, the majority of the announced projects remain at the planning or early preparation stage, with limited physical progress on the ground.
Officials have previously cited funding constraints, land acquisition issues and the need for detailed feasibility studies as reasons for the slower pace. Opposition figures have pointed to the limited progress as evidence that the government’s infrastructure promises are not being delivered at the expected rate.
Domestic aviation remains critical for connectivity between Malé and the atolls, where many communities still rely on ferry services for travel.