Malé International Airport
Encyclopedia
Ibrahim Nasir International Airport , more commonly known as Malé International Airport, previously known as Hulhulé Airport, is the main international airport in the Maldives
. It is located on Hulhulé Island
in the North Malé Atoll
, nearby the capital island Malé
.
Today, Ibrahim Nasir International is well connected with major airports around the world, mostly serving as the main gateway into the Maldives
for tourists. Moreover, despite the upgrading of Gan Airport to international standard, Ibrahim Nasir International is currently the only internationally active airport in the country.
The airport opened to the public on 12 April 1966. Later, the airport underwent renovation and upgrading to international standard, inaugurating its new name on 11 November 1981. It was managed financially and administratively by an independent corporate entity known as Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which is governed by a Board of Directors
appointed by the President
. In early 2010, the government began considering privatising the airport in order to develop it further. On 15 July 2010, the airport was privatised following a concession agreement between GMR Group
, India and Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAHB)
. On 25 November 2010, MACL officially handed over the aerodrome
license of the then Malé International Airport to the newly formed GMR Male International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (GMIAL).
On 26 July 2011, Male' International Airport was officially renamed as 'Ibrahim Nasir International Airport' in memory of the late Ibrahim Nasir
, 2nd President of the Maldives
. He is known for initiating the airport in 1960.
was made of slotted steel sheets
. The dimension of this runway was 75 x 3000 feet. The first aircraft, which landed at the airport, was a Royal New Zealand Air Force
Transport plane on 19 October 1960 at 13:55hrs. The first commercial flight was an Air Ceylon
flight (4R0ACJ) landed on this runway was at 15:50hrs on 10 April 1962. The first aircraft owned by the Maldives landed on the runway of the Hulhulé Airport on 9 October 1974.
, the fastest district winning prize money of Rufiyaa 1000/-. On the first day itself 108 volunteers were enlisted for the project and 1563.08 Maldivian Rufiya were donated.
The asphalt runway constructed by the hard work of Maldivians was opened on 12 April 1966 at 16:00hrs by the former president Ibrahim Nasir
.
.
, the bid was won by the consortium between GMR Group
and Malaysia Airports
who provided Rufiyaa 1 Billion upfront to the government for the lease of the airport.
On 28 July 2010, a public-private partnership
in managing the airport was signed between the Maldivian government and officials of GMR Group
and Malaysia Airports
, leasing the airport to the consortium for 25 years. The consortium's aim is to develop MIA into a global standard airport by the year 2014.
In September 2010, GMR registered "GMR Malé International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (GMIAL)" as the new operator of the airport.
On 25 November 2010, MACL officially handed over the aerodrome license of Malé International Airport to GMIAL.
MACL will continue to manage the other airports in Maldives.
, Aviation Security Command
and some smaller offices. All other departments that MACL was managing previously will be transferred to GMIAL.
government and GMR Group
included the upgrading and renovation of the airport up to the standard of a global airport by the year 2014.
GMIAL announced that the development plans included reclaiming more land at the northern end of the runway; where a new terminal is to be built. This terminal will consist of 3 separate bridged buildings and will consist of elements that reflect the traditional Maldivian resort
. Plans for a separate cargo terminal was also announced.
, 2nd President of the Maldives
for initiating the airport in 1960, as well as for commemorating his work in the independence of Maldives
.
is the largest foreign carrier into Maldives with 40 flights a week.
Bandaranaike International Airport
is the most common direct stop out of the Maldives as it is served by SriLankan Airlines
, Mihin Lanka
, Emirates and Oman Air
who operate a combined total of up to 10 flights daily between Sri Lanka
and the Maldives
.
of 6 feet (2 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway
designated 18/36 with an asphalt
surface measuring 3200 by 45 m (10,498.7 by 147.6 ).
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
. It is located on Hulhulé Island
Hulhulé Island
Hulhulé , located at Latitude 4° 10' 60 N Longitude 73° 31' 60 E, is an island in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives. It is one of the islands closest to the capital island Malé. The Malé International Airport is located on this island along with some official premises, e.g. Maldivian Bureau of...
in the North Malé Atoll
Malé Atoll
Malé Atoll is a natural atoll of the Maldives. This atoll consists of two separate atolls: North Malé Atoll and South Malé Atoll.Together with Kaashidhoo Island and Gaafaru, Malé Atoll forms the administrative division known as Kaafu Atoll....
, nearby the capital island Malé
Malé
Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where...
.
Today, Ibrahim Nasir International is well connected with major airports around the world, mostly serving as the main gateway into the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
for tourists. Moreover, despite the upgrading of Gan Airport to international standard, Ibrahim Nasir International is currently the only internationally active airport in the country.
The airport opened to the public on 12 April 1966. Later, the airport underwent renovation and upgrading to international standard, inaugurating its new name on 11 November 1981. It was managed financially and administratively by an independent corporate entity known as Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which is governed by a Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
appointed by the President
President of the Maldives
The President of the Maldives is the Head of State and Head of Government and first citizen of the Republic of Maldives and the Supreme Commander of the Maldivian armed forces.The current President of the Republic of Maldives is Mohamed Nasheed....
. In early 2010, the government began considering privatising the airport in order to develop it further. On 15 July 2010, the airport was privatised following a concession agreement between GMR Group
GMR Group
GMR Group is a major infrastructure company in India which is headquartered in Bangalore. The company was founded in 1978 by Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao The core business areas of the company include airports, energy and highways; apart from having presence in the agriculture and aviation sectors...
, India and Malaysia Airports Berhad (MAHB)
Malaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad is a Malaysian airport company that manages most of the airports in Malaysia. The firm was recently awarded the duty to manage airports in international destinations...
. On 25 November 2010, MACL officially handed over the aerodrome
Aerodrome
An aerodrome, airdrome or airfield is a term for any location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve cargo, passengers or neither...
license of the then Malé International Airport to the newly formed GMR Male International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (GMIAL).
On 26 July 2011, Male' International Airport was officially renamed as 'Ibrahim Nasir International Airport' in memory of the late Ibrahim Nasir
Ibrahim Nasir
Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan , KCMG, NGIV was a Maldivian politician who served as Prime Minister of the Maldives under Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi from 1957 to 1968 and succeeded him to become the first President of the Second Republic from...
, 2nd President of the Maldives
President of the Maldives
The President of the Maldives is the Head of State and Head of Government and first citizen of the Republic of Maldives and the Supreme Commander of the Maldivian armed forces.The current President of the Republic of Maldives is Mohamed Nasheed....
. He is known for initiating the airport in 1960.
Hulhulé Airport
Ibrahim Nasir International first started out as a small strip of land in the then inhabited island of Hulhulé. Hulhulé Airport was opened on 19 October 1960. The first runway built on Hulhulé IslandHulhulé Island
Hulhulé , located at Latitude 4° 10' 60 N Longitude 73° 31' 60 E, is an island in the North Malé Atoll of the Maldives. It is one of the islands closest to the capital island Malé. The Malé International Airport is located on this island along with some official premises, e.g. Maldivian Bureau of...
was made of slotted steel sheets
Steel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
. The dimension of this runway was 75 x 3000 feet. The first aircraft, which landed at the airport, was a Royal New Zealand Air Force
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
Transport plane on 19 October 1960 at 13:55hrs. The first commercial flight was an Air Ceylon
Air Ceylon
Air Ceylon was the flag carrier airline of Sri Lanka from 1947 until 1978, when it was replaced by Air Lanka.- History :...
flight (4R0ACJ) landed on this runway was at 15:50hrs on 10 April 1962. The first aircraft owned by the Maldives landed on the runway of the Hulhulé Airport on 9 October 1974.
New runway
In May 1964, the government and the people of Malé worked together to construct a new asphalt runway. The work was carried out in a competitive atmosphere with the competition between the four districts of MaléMalé
Malé , is the capital and most populous city in the Republic of Maldives. It is located at the southern edge of North Malé Atoll . It is also one of the Administrative divisions of the Maldives. Traditionally it was the King's Island, from where the ancient Maldive Royal dynasties ruled and where...
, the fastest district winning prize money of Rufiyaa 1000/-. On the first day itself 108 volunteers were enlisted for the project and 1563.08 Maldivian Rufiya were donated.
The asphalt runway constructed by the hard work of Maldivians was opened on 12 April 1966 at 16:00hrs by the former president Ibrahim Nasir
Ibrahim Nasir
Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan , KCMG, NGIV was a Maldivian politician who served as Prime Minister of the Maldives under Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi from 1957 to 1968 and succeeded him to become the first President of the Second Republic from...
.
Upgrade to Malé International Airport
When the tourism industry in the Maldives began in 1972, the country was in need of an international standard airport to transport tourists to the resort islands. So, on 11 November 1981, the airport was officially inaugurated under a new name of "Malé International Airport". The airport was inaugurated by the then-president Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL)
As the airport started hosting frequent and numerous flights, the need for a corporate entity to manage the airport was realised. Thus, Maldives Airports Company Ltd. (MACL) was formed on 1 January 1994 and is the financially and administratively independent corporate entity that manages the airport. MACL is governed by the Board of Directors appointed by the President of the MaldivesPresident of the Maldives
The President of the Maldives is the Head of State and Head of Government and first citizen of the Republic of Maldives and the Supreme Commander of the Maldivian armed forces.The current President of the Republic of Maldives is Mohamed Nasheed....
.
Privatisation of the airport
On 20 June 2010, the government opened a bidding ceremony for private companies who wanted to manage and develop Malé International Airport. Out of 3 international consortium bids including Flughafen Zürich AG-GVK Industries Ltd. and TAV Airport Holidings-Aéroports de ParisAéroports de Paris
Aéroports de Paris or ADP is the airport authority that owns and manages the fourteen civil airports and airfields in the Île-de-France area. Among its notable airports are Charles de Gaulle International Airport, Orly Airport and Le Bourget Airport...
, the bid was won by the consortium between GMR Group
GMR Group
GMR Group is a major infrastructure company in India which is headquartered in Bangalore. The company was founded in 1978 by Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao The core business areas of the company include airports, energy and highways; apart from having presence in the agriculture and aviation sectors...
and Malaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad is a Malaysian airport company that manages most of the airports in Malaysia. The firm was recently awarded the duty to manage airports in international destinations...
who provided Rufiyaa 1 Billion upfront to the government for the lease of the airport.
On 28 July 2010, a public-private partnership
Public-private partnership
Public–private partnership describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies...
in managing the airport was signed between the Maldivian government and officials of GMR Group
GMR Group
GMR Group is a major infrastructure company in India which is headquartered in Bangalore. The company was founded in 1978 by Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao The core business areas of the company include airports, energy and highways; apart from having presence in the agriculture and aviation sectors...
and Malaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports
Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad is a Malaysian airport company that manages most of the airports in Malaysia. The firm was recently awarded the duty to manage airports in international destinations...
, leasing the airport to the consortium for 25 years. The consortium's aim is to develop MIA into a global standard airport by the year 2014.
In September 2010, GMR registered "GMR Malé International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (GMIAL)" as the new operator of the airport.
On 25 November 2010, MACL officially handed over the aerodrome license of Malé International Airport to GMIAL.
MACL will continue to manage the other airports in Maldives.
Airport Management
More than 1200 employees from Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) will be transferred to GMR Malé International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (GMIAL) as part of the privatisation. After this transfer, MACL will only be responsible for Air Traffic ControlAir traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
, Aviation Security Command
Airport security
Airport security refers to the techniques and methods used in protecting airports and aircraft from crime.Large numbers of people pass through airports. This presents potential targets for terrorism and other forms of crime due to the number of people located in a particular location...
and some smaller offices. All other departments that MACL was managing previously will be transferred to GMIAL.
Airport upgrade
The agreement signed between the MaldivesMaldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
government and GMR Group
GMR Group
GMR Group is a major infrastructure company in India which is headquartered in Bangalore. The company was founded in 1978 by Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao The core business areas of the company include airports, energy and highways; apart from having presence in the agriculture and aviation sectors...
included the upgrading and renovation of the airport up to the standard of a global airport by the year 2014.
GMIAL announced that the development plans included reclaiming more land at the northern end of the runway; where a new terminal is to be built. This terminal will consist of 3 separate bridged buildings and will consist of elements that reflect the traditional Maldivian resort
Resort
A resort is a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors for holidays or vacations. Resorts are places, towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company....
. Plans for a separate cargo terminal was also announced.
Name change
On 26th July 2011 (Independence Day of the Maldives), the Maldivian government officially changed the name of the airport to 'Ibrahim Nasir International Airport'. This change was brought in memory of the late Ibrahim NasirIbrahim Nasir
Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan , KCMG, NGIV was a Maldivian politician who served as Prime Minister of the Maldives under Sultan Muhammad Fareed Didi from 1957 to 1968 and succeeded him to become the first President of the Second Republic from...
, 2nd President of the Maldives
President of the Maldives
The President of the Maldives is the Head of State and Head of Government and first citizen of the Republic of Maldives and the Supreme Commander of the Maldivian armed forces.The current President of the Republic of Maldives is Mohamed Nasheed....
for initiating the airport in 1960, as well as for commemorating his work in the independence of Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
.
Statistics
As of December 2010, SriLankan AirlinesSriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Sri Lanka. It operates to destinations in Asia and Europe from its base and hub at Bandaranaike International Airport . The airline's trademark phrase is 'You're Our World', and the company's logo features a stylized peacock...
is the largest foreign carrier into Maldives with 40 flights a week.
Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport is Sri Lanka's only international airport at the moment. Mattala International Airport, when it gets built will be the second International Airport of Sri Lanka. It is located in Katunayake, north of Colombo...
is the most common direct stop out of the Maldives as it is served by SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines
SriLankan Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Sri Lanka. It operates to destinations in Asia and Europe from its base and hub at Bandaranaike International Airport . The airline's trademark phrase is 'You're Our World', and the company's logo features a stylized peacock...
, Mihin Lanka
Mihin Lanka
Mihin Lanka is a low-cost airline based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It is a fully owned and funded enterprise of the Sri Lankan government. Its main focus is providing low cost flights from Colombo to a number of cities in the Indian subcontinent, the Gulf States and Southeast Asia...
, Emirates and Oman Air
Oman Air
Oman Air is the national airline of Oman. Based on the grounds of Muscat International Airport in Muscat, it operates scheduled domestic and international passenger services, as well as regional air taxi and charter flights. Its main base is Muscat International Airport. Oman Air is a member of...
who operate a combined total of up to 10 flights daily between Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
and the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
.
Facilities
The airport resides at an elevationElevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
of 6 feet (2 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
designated 18/36 with an asphalt
Asphalt
Asphalt or , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits, it is a substance classed as a pitch...
surface measuring 3200 by 45 m (10,498.7 by 147.6 ).
Airlines and destinations
Incidents and accidents
- On 13 May 1986, in an operation carried out by the LTTE, a bomb on a Air Lanka Flight 512 (now SriLankan AirlinesSriLankan AirlinesSriLankan Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Sri Lanka. It operates to destinations in Asia and Europe from its base and hub at Bandaranaike International Airport . The airline's trademark phrase is 'You're Our World', and the company's logo features a stylized peacock...
) Lockheed L-1011Lockheed L-1011The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, commonly referred to as the L-1011 or TriStar, is a medium-to-long range, widebody passenger trijet airliner. It was the third widebody airliner to enter commercial operations, following the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Between 1968 and 1984, Lockheed...
exploded while passengers were boarding for a short-hop flight from Colombo to Malé. 14 people were killed, and the airplane was written off.
- On 18 October 1995 an Air MaldivesAir MaldivesAir Maldives was the first national airline and flag carrier of the Maldives. It was established on 1st October 1974 during the presidency of Ibrahim Nasir...
Dornier 228 abruptly turned right, left the runway, struck the seawall and somersaulted into the adjacent lagoon while landing. The plane was written off.
- On 15 August 1996 a Hummingbird HelicoptersTrans Maldivian AirwaysTrans Maldivian Airways is a private airline based in Malé International Airport and is the oldest air transfer operator operating in the Maldives. It operates seaplanes to resort islands.- History :...
MIL Mi-8PMil Mi-8The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
lost control after takeoff due to the non-availability of hydraulic pressure. Only 4 people received minor injuries.
- On 17 May 2004, a Trans Maldivian AirwaysTrans Maldivian AirwaysTrans Maldivian Airways is a private airline based in Malé International Airport and is the oldest air transfer operator operating in the Maldives. It operates seaplanes to resort islands.- History :...
, de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Series 300De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin OtterThe DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian 19-passenger STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada and currently produced by Viking Air. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL abilities and high rate of climb have made it a successful cargo, regional passenger airliner and MEDEVAC...
collided with the sea-wall of runway 18 after experiencing problems taking off from the seaplane base. Both pilots and one passenger were seriously injured in the accident. The aircraft was written off.