Former President Mohamed Nasheed says finding operators on a tender basis would be the most beneficial way forward for the airport in Haa Dhaalu Hanimaadhoo.
His comments came after the accusations made by former President Abdullah Yameen, who stated that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu held discussions with an Indian company about the sale of the airport in the north of the country.
Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed quickly denied these accusations.
Nasheed said that the most beneficial way would be to select an operator for the airport and if an airline operates the airport, the profits would be high.
Posting on a social media group with tourism industry stakeholders, Nasheed said that the Maldives would enjoy greater benefits if the money was earned by renting out what they had rather than trying to pay off the loans.
Nasheed said that if the Indian company GMR had been allowed to operate Velaanaa International Airport, it would not have to pay a debt of US$2 billion today, adding that the new terminal would have been operating for about 10 years now.
The Hanimaadhoo International Airport is being developed under an $800 million line of credit from Exim Bank of India. The project cost $136 million (MVR 2 billion).
