Ongoing expansion and rebuilding work at Velana International Airport in Malé will mean that the Maldives' air travel hub, connecting the island-nation with the rest of the world, will see its annual passenger capacity grow from its current level of less than 1.5 million to 7.5 million by 2019.

The economic implications of the upgrade for a country where tourism is the bedrock for almost all other activity are simply huge.

"This is the gateway to the country," explains Adil Moosa, the managing director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). "So if we look at the government's aim to develop 50 resorts in a five-year term, the airport needs to be developed as well."

Because the Maldives' tourism development strategy is based on the quality of each visitor's experience and the destination aims to continue distinguishing itself amongst the best in the world, the transit experience to a heavenly island must be as close to perfect as possible.

"Travel to the Maldives is unique. The first sight on arriving at the airport will be emerald-like lagoons and islands surrounded by white sandy beaches," says Moosa of President Abdulla Yameen's "bold initiative" to develop Malé's transport hub.

"The aircraft will be parked just next to the terminal. Everything is very connected. You will see and feel the beauty of the Maldives from the moment you step out the door, and will be transported by seaplane or boat to your final destination."

Increased capacity will also boost connectivity. A second runway will mean that at least 20 flights can be processed per hour, meaning Malé airport can go way beyond the three-dozen or so destinations with which it currently has direct connections.

Flagship airlines such as Emirates, with three daily direct flights, and other Gulf carriers such as Etihad, Fly Dubai and Saudia will be able to boost their services to connect key tourism markets in the west and the GCC to the Maldives.

Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Opec all helped finance the airport expansion and now Moosa wants Gulf investors to get involved in the commercial phase of the facility's development.

Air connectivity has also been boosted thanks to a completed upgrade of Gan International Airport at the southern end of the Maldives' string of pearls archipelago. The national airline Maldivian connects it to Malé seven times a day, but Gan also deals with direct flights to Colombo operated by SriLankan Airlines.