MALE, July 27 (HNS) – Transport Minister Mohamed Adil Saleem today confirmed that Male International Airport was yesterday renamed “Ibrahim Nasir International Airport" on the occasion of the nation’s Independence Day.
Adil earlier told Haveeru the cabinet had decided to rename the airport after the late Ibrahim Nasir, the country's second President who led the nation to Independence from the British, as it was him who founded the airport.
“Nasir is the founder of the airport, and the name should be well adapted by the time the airport's new wing is complete,” the minister said, referring to the expansion of the airport operated by India's GMR.
Adil said that GMR Male International Private Limited and relevant authorities were notified of the decision and that only the name board facing the runway had to be changed.
“All other changes have been made apart from changing the name board facing the runway. It will be changed in no time,” Adil said.
The airport, the second to be established in the country after Addu's Gan airport built by the British, was originally named Hulhule Airport and was opened during Nasir’s presidency.
The name was changed to Male International Airport on November 11, 1981 after it was developed to an international airport during Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's presidency.
The airport is currently run by a joint venture between GMR Private Limited and Malaysia Airports Company.
