GAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Located on Addu Atoll in the southern Maldives, Gan International Airport is one of the country’s international gateways and plays a vital role in supporting tourism, trade and regional connectivity. Operated by Addu International Airport Pvt. Ltd, the airport is currently undergoing a significant programme of expansion and modernisation aimed at transforming the former military airfield into a modern aviation hub capable of accommodating widebody aircraft handling 1.5 m passenger per annum.

As passenger numbers and aircraft movements have increased, the airport has placed growing emphasis on upgrading critical airfield infrastructure to meet international performance and safety standards. Apron lighting formed a key part of this strategy, with a requirement to improve illumination quality, reduce energy consumption and ensure compliance with ICAO Annex 14 requirements.

CU Phosco had previously supplied the original raising and lowering high masts and HID floodlighting systems at Gan International Airport many years earlier. In 2021, the airport operator approached CU Phosco directly to explore a transition to LED technology, building on the existing high mast infrastructure while delivering improved operational performance.

The upgrade was planned as a two-phase programme, allowing the airport to manage investment, minimise disruption and align lighting improvements with wider development works across the site.

CU Phosco was appointed to provide a complete lighting solution, including lighting design, lantern carriage design and supply, and the provision of high-performance LED floodlights for all apron areas. The design brief was clear: deliver apron lighting fully compliant with ICAO Annex 14, while improving uniformity, visibility and operational efficiency across the airfield.

The aprons are illuminated by six existing high masts. Phase 1 of the project, completed in 2022, focused on the eastern apron area, where CU Phosco supplied 16 FL810-1 LED floodlights along with three new lantern carriages designed to accommodate the upgraded luminaires. Phase 2, completed in December 2025, addressed the western apron area, with the installation of 15 FL820-1 LED floodlights and a further three new lantern carriages.

A full lighting design was undertaken for the entire apron area to ensure compliance with ICAO requirements for illumination levels and uniformity, while making best use of the existing mast locations. The new lantern carriages were engineered to integrate seamlessly with the original high mast structures, enabling a straightforward upgrade without the need for mast replacement.

Andrew Southgate, Export Manager at CU Phosco, explains: “This was a carefully phased upgrade that allowed Gan International Airport to transition from HID to LED lighting while continuing normal operations. By upgrading the lantern carriages and introducing LED floodlights across both phases, the airport has achieved a significant improvement in lighting quality and efficiency while retaining the long-term value of its existing high mast assets.”

The completed upgrade has transformed apron lighting performance at Gan International Airport. All apron areas are now illuminated using LED floodlights, delivering improved visibility, better colour rendition and enhanced uniformity to support safe aircraft movements and ground operations.

The transition from 35 x 1000W HID floodlights to 31 LED floodlights has delivered energy savings of more than 60 percent, significantly reducing operational costs while supporting the airport’s wider sustainability objectives. The LED system also reduces ongoing maintenance requirements and improves long-term reliability as the airport continues to expand its operations.