The recent inauguration of the redeveloped Hanimaadhoo International Airport marks a pivotal moment for Maldives, moving the country closer to its goal of economic decentralisation and its international openness. This vast overhaul of the infrastructure has been a complex, technical and a managerial challenge for Assystem in India, who served as the Project Management Consultancy (PMC).
This project was a crucial one, transforming a primarily domestic airstrip into a major international gateway capable of handling up to 1.3 million passengers annually.
Assystem’s Key Role in The Project
Assystem in India’s involvement was critical across the entire project lifecycle, ensuring the successful transformation of the airport through stringent quality and safety standards.
Our complete scope of work included:
- Project Management – leading and coordinating all core project management activities
- Design & Engineering Oversight – providing thorough design checking and validation
- Construction Supervision & Quality Assurance
- Supervising construction, inspection, and progress monitoring
- Overseeing testing, commissioning, and finalisation of As-Built Drawings
- Finalising method statements and ensuring robust construction methodologies
- Conducting quality and safety control throughout the execution phase
- Resource and Equipment Verification
- Checking the availability and adequacy of the Contractor’s manpower, materials and machinery
- Inspecting major equipment at the manufacturing plants prior to delivery
- Post-Commissioning Support – Conducting necessary surveys during the Defects Liability Period
Our strategic and proactive coordination was instrumental in mitigating project risks, accelerating timely decision-making, and elevating overall quality, resulting in the successful realization of the client’s vision for a safe, modern, and sustainable airport.
How Assystem Managed these Difficult Challenges
Working on a remote island meant the team had to be flexible enough to adapt to the various problems encountered in the field.
- Implementation of a Phased Construction Approach: The primary challenge was the need to maintain uninterrupted flight operations. initially construct a portion of the proposed runway equivalent in length to the existing runway (i.e., half of the proposed total runway length). The remaining half, along with the permanent apron, was to be constructed after commissioning and taking over of the first half of the runway and the temporary apron. This phased approach was successfully implemented, thereby resolving the issue of maintaining ongoing flight operations.
- Logistics & Material Handling: Due to difficulties in getting materials to the site a temporary jetty was constructed, thereby resolving the supply chain bottleneck and ensuring timely completion.
Why this Airport Matters?
Celebrated as “Gateway to the North”, Hanimadhoo International Airport a symbol of economic transformation for the orthern atolls.
- The upgrade directly connects the northern atolls to the world. This is essential for the Maldivian government’s plan to decentralize development.
- The new 2,465-meter runway can now handle international narrow-body jets, like the Airbus A320. This means tourists visiting the north can fly straight in without having to transfer flights from Malé first.
- By using strategically placed glass panels and skylights, the building uses a lot of natural sunlight; significantly reducing the airport’s overall carbon footprint.
- Better access will help key local industries, including tourism, fishing, and agriculture. This will not only create new local jobs, it will also make it easier for local products to reach global markets.
- The newly renovated airport with now act as a vital link between the archipelago and key regional markets like India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia.