Changi Airports International wins Maldives' Male airport consultancy deal

CHANGI Airports International (CAI) has been hired as a consultant for the expansion and commercialisation of Malé international airport in the Maldives.

Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) is carrying out plans to expand and commercialise the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

CAI, a wholly owned investment and management subsidiary of Changi Airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG), will review and provide recommendations for the existing passenger terminal, proposed airport master plan and conceptual design of the new passenger terminal, CAI said in a statement.

CAI will also help to improve the Maldives airport's commercial offerings and activities.

The value of the hiring was not disclosed.

Maldives Airports Co is looking to boost the long-term capacity of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on expectations that tourist arrivals to the island chain will grow to more than five million in 2018 from one million in 2013.

Bandhu Ibrahim Saleem, managing director of Maldives Airports Co, said in a statement: "The expansion and commercialisation of the airport is a strategic initiative that will support the fast-growing tourism industry and expansion of trade activity in the Republic of Maldives. We believe that CAI will be able to bring world-class planning and operating experience to the Republic of Maldives and support MACL in the successful delivery of this important milestone."