Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) on Thursday inaugurated the R. Alifushi Airport Terminal.

MTCC said they are hopeful the airport will be operational within the year.

MTCC's CEO Adam Azim and Alifushi MP Mohamed Rasheed Hussain (Bigey) and Alifushi Council's President Adam Imran attended the inauguration ceremony and laid the foundation for the airport terminal.

MTCC said the new terminal will usher forth an era of economic development in the area.

"With the new terminal tourism, carpentry, and other businesses will flourish in the area. New resorts and guesthouses can be developed. The airport will connect nearby islands such as Vaadhoo, Rasgetheem, Angolhitheem, and Sh. Komandoo," MTCC said.

MTCC is also carrying out Alifushi land reclamation project to add 5.50 hectares of land to the island.

"Once the MVR 451 million project is complete, Alifushi will be expanded to twice its current size," MTCC said.

MTCC was contracted with the reclamation and airport development in 2021 to be completed within 750 days.