Former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that building an airport on every island in the Maldives is a major obstacle to development.

In a tweet posted on X tonight, following the official opening of M. Muli Airport today, Nasheed said that the islands of the Maldives need to be connected through a transportation system, and people need to be freed from island confinement. However, he said that building airports on many islands is a mistake.

"However, building an airport on every island in the Maldives is an enormous obstacle to the country's development," Nasheed said.

Nasheed said that the Kulhudhuffushi Airport is also a poorly executed project, and that building an airport in GDh. Thinadhoo would also be a mistake. He also stated that building an airport in R. Fainu is not a good idea.

Including the Velana International Airport operated in Hulhule', there are currently 18 airports operating in the Maldives.