Managing Director of Regional Airports Mohamed Rizvi said the use of the new runway at Hanimadhoo International Airport has been suspended due to the change of government.
The outgoing government started the development of Hanimadu International Airport in January this year.
Rizvi said the 1,400-metre area of the runway has been tarred and that the runway area has been temporarily opened for use.
The Hanimaadhoo airport project, which will be developed to host the world's largest aircraft, was planned to be completed by August and temporarily opened for domestic flights. The existing runway and terminal will be removed and the area will be developed in September under the plan.
However, Rizvi said the decision has been changed as the government change process is underway. Although the new runway is in use, the use of the new runway has been postponed due to further decisions taken by the new government during the change of government, Rizvi said.
The project is being implemented with a loan from Exim Bank of India at a cost of MVR 2.1 billion.
