The countdown to the opening of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) has officially begun.
The countdown was launched by the airport operator, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) CEO Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed.
The countdown to the opening of the new passenger terminal has been slated for 26 July - when the country celebrates its independence day.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shareef praised the efforts of the MACL staff to speed up the opening of the new passenger terminal. The CEO urged all employees to treat the opening of the new terminal as a national duty by setting an example to the rest of the nation.
"I have no doubt about the courage and confidence of the MACL employees. The staff of MACL have shown me that in the short time I have been here,” he said.
The current terminal at VIA has the capacity to handle 1.5 million passengers annually, while the Maldives last year hosted over 2 million tourists. Therefore, the airport is currently operating at overcapacity.
In stark contrast, the new terminal, encompassing 78,000 square meters, will accommodate over seven million passengers each year. The terminal is being developed with modern facilities.