Wed Dec 31 16:38:17 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The Maldives has requested assistance from Indian companies to manage its recently upgraded Hanimaadhoo International Airport. This request, made to India’s Civil Aviation Minister during the airport’s inauguration, follows a previous, contentious experience where an Indian company (GMR) was ousted from managing the Male International Airport over a decade ago. The Indian government has directed the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to study the proposal. India supported the redevelopment and expansion of the Hanimaadhoo airport with an $800 million line of credit. The upgrade, completed by an Indian company, includes a longer runway and a new passenger building, aiming to boost economic growth and global connectivity. The previous GMR deal was abruptly terminated in 2012, leading to arbitration and compensation awarded to GMR.
News Article:
Maldives Seeks Indian Assistance in Managing Upgraded Hanimaadhoo Airport, Despite Past GMR Debacle
New Delhi, December 31, 2025 – In a move signaling a potential shift in its approach to foreign investment in aviation, the Maldives has formally requested India’s assistance in managing its newly upgraded Hanimaadhoo International Airport. The request, made by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu to India’s Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu during the airport’s inauguration in November, has prompted the Indian government to task the Airports Authority of India (AAI) with evaluating the proposal.
This development comes over a decade after the controversial termination of a contract with Indian infrastructure giant GMR to develop and operate the Male International Airport. The 2012 ouster of GMR, which involved a $511 million investment, resulted in a lengthy legal battle and ultimately a $270 million compensation payment to GMR through international arbitration.
Despite the previous setback, the Maldives is now seeking Indian expertise to oversee the operations of the Hanimaadhoo airport, which has been significantly upgraded with a $136.6 million project undertaken by Indian company JMC Projects, supported by an $800 million line of credit from India’s EXIM Bank. The upgraded airport now features a 2,465-meter runway capable of handling Airbus A320 aircraft and a new passenger terminal with a capacity of 1.3 million passengers annually.
The Maldives government hopes that the enhanced Hanimaadhoo airport will serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the northern region of the island nation and improve global connectivity.
The AAI’s assessment of the Maldivian request will be crucial in determining the extent and nature of Indian involvement in the airport’s management. The AAI has significant experience in airport management, including managing 26 State government airports and owning 113 airports in India. Some of the AAI airports are managed by private operators such as GMR, GVK and Adani Group. The decision will need to carefully weigh the potential benefits against the backdrop of the previous, less-than-amicable experience with GMR.
First Piper 