Maldives takes control of Male airport from GMR

Maladives government today took control of the Male airport from a group led by GMR after the administration of President Mohamed Waheed last week scrapped a concession agreement the earlier government had signed with GMR and also secured a verdict in its favour from the Singapore High Court.

There will, however, be a three-week transition period beginning today at the end of which GMR will stop operating the airport.

Barely two years after GMR took control of the airport in the capital Male, the Mohamed Waheed government last week revoked a 25-year lease of the airport and ordered GMR to quit by midnight of Friday.

GMR, which earlier got a reprieve with the Singapore High Court staying the order, now received a blow with the same court ruling in favour of the Maladivian government.

State-run Maldivian Airport Company Limited, which will run the airport, has agreed to retain all staff, including Indian nationals, on the same terms.

There will also be no change in the operations of the airport, officials said.