Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has kicked off plans to launch a premium duty-free business at the new terminal of Gan International Airport in Addu City.
The move signals a major commercial push into the southern Maldives. More importantly, it opens the door for luxury retail at one of the region’s key aviation hubs.
MACL says the new duty-free operation will upgrade the travel experience at Gan International Airport. At the same time, it will unlock fresh business activity in the south and support faster tourism-led growth.
Moreover, the project fits into a wider national strategy. The government wants to expand the Maldivian economy, reduce overreliance on traditional tourism zones, and build stronger commercial activity across the islands.
Gan’s new terminal now sits at the center of that plan.
With duty-free shopping on the way, MACL aims to draw more travelers to the southern region. In addition, the company wants to help airlines open new international routes into Addu City. That could give southern Maldives a stronger position in the global travel market.
The economic impact could stretch well beyond the airport.
MACL says the venture will create new jobs for young people in Addu and nearby islands. Furthermore, the company plans to train selected staff overseas with leading global brands. That step could raise service standards, strengthen retail skills, and prepare a local workforce for high-end travel retail.
The company sees the project as a key milestone under the “Addu Welcomes to the World” vision. That vision focuses on diversifying Addu City’s economy and creating new engines of growth.
At the same time, the duty-free rollout supports the government’s broader goal for Maldivian travel retail. Officials want the sector to meet international benchmarks, deliver sustainable growth, and lift the profile of southern Maldives as a serious destination in the global aviation and tourism network.