Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has dismissed rumours circulating on social media that terminals at Velana International Airport (VIA) are to be handed over to foreign parties.
MACL, which operates the VIA, issued the clarification in response to claims suggesting that the VIP terminal at VIA would be leased to a foreign company under a long-term agreement.
A senior official from MACL told PSM News that the rumours that the VIP terminal will be handed over to a Dubai-based company are untrue. The government has not decided to hand over the operation of any terminal at VIA to any foreign party, he stated..
The official said MACL regularly receives proposals for projects from various companies, adding that a proposal had also been received from a Dubai-based company. However, no decision has been taken on the proposal thus far, and any such decision will be taken in the highest interest of the company and the nation, the official said.
Social media rumours also suggest that the government intends to handover the operation of Hanimaadhoo International Airport to foreign parties. However, the government has not taken any such decision, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed has confirmed.