Villa Air Chairman Qasim Ibrahim announced plans to develop Kaadedhdhoo Airport in Gaafu Alifu Atoll to international standards while ensuring that the company would not suffer financial harm if the state decides to reclaim it.

Villa Air was originally awarded the airport in 2013 for a 50-year term, but in 2017, the government of then-President Abdulla Yameen canceled the agreement and seized control. In 2018, the Civil Court ruled in favor of Villa Air, a decision later upheld by both the High Court and the Supreme Court. As a result, the airport was returned to the company in March 2022.

Upon regaining control, Villa Air found the airport in a severely deteriorated condition. Qasim, who also serves as the MP for Maamigili, stated that the company has since repaired the runway and replaced the airport’s generator twice. However, financial constraints due to the post-pandemic economic slowdown have made operations challenging, with the airport running at a significant loss.

"The truth is that we receive very little. We don’t even get half of what we should. We have to spend more than MVR 1 million every month because of not getting it," Qasim said.

Despite these financial difficulties, Villa Air aims to expand the runway to at least 2,400 meters and develop the airport to international standards. Qasim noted that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has also expressed interest in upgrading the airport, and Villa Air is willing to cooperate.

"The President has mentioned twice that he would like to develop it into an international airport. I told him that we are ready to work on it. I will do it, no doubt," he said.

However, Qasim emphasized that if the government decides to take over the airport again, Villa Air would not resist, provided the transition is fair and does not harm the company.

"If the government wants a certain approach, we are ready to let it go if it is reasonable and harmless to us," he said.

He also criticized past government actions, stating that previous takeovers disrupted Villa Air’s plans, even after securing investors.

"We had the idea of developing an international airport, but the government took it away from us time and again. How can we achieve our goals if we are repeatedly disrupted?" he said.

Despite these setbacks, Qasim affirmed that Villa Air has the capability to develop the airport efficiently and at the lowest cost. The company took over airport operations in 2022 with a long-term vision of transforming it into an international airport within seven years.