MACL aims to complete Velana International Airport’s new terminal by July

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said on Sunday that the new terminal at Velana International Airport is expected to be completed by July.

MACL provided an update on the terminal’s progress during a presentation at the annual general meeting of the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI) at Kurumba Maldives.

During the presentation, MACL Deputy Chief Officer Ibrahim Ali Habeeb stated that construction is proceeding as planned. The new terminal will offer early check-in and early baggage storage services.

Key updates from the presentation included:

• The immigration services section of the new terminal will be 280 times larger than the existing terminal.
• Aero bridges have been installed, with testing scheduled to begin next month.
• More than 50% of the interior work has been completed.
• Exterior work is nearing completion.

Initially, the government planned to open the new terminal before the start of last year’s tourism season. However, based on recommendations from the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), the timeline was adjusted.

The terminal is being developed to accommodate 7 million passengers annually and is expected to address congestion issues at the airport during peak tourist seasons.

In his presidential address on Thursday, President Mohamed Muizzu stated that the new terminal would be opened before October.