Maldives’ main airport’s new terminal to open in December 2024

Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal confirmed on Friday that the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) will be inaugurated by December.

The announcement was made in the minister’s World Tourism Day message, highlighting the terminal’s significance to the country’s tourism industry.

Faisal emphasised that the new terminal is a central part of the main airport’s broader modernisation project, which aims to increase the Maldives’ capacity to accommodate international visitors. While operations at the terminal are set to commence in December, the airport is expected to be fully operational by the first or second quarter of next year.

In his address, the Minister underscored the importance of attracting more airlines to the Maldives, noting that the government plans to work closely with the tourism sector on targeted marketing campaigns. He pointed out that the opening of the terminal presents an opportunity to boost these efforts, increase tourist arrivals, and enhance overall spending in the tourism sector.

The tourism industry currently contributes approximately USD 4.5 billion to the state, with the government aiming to raise this figure to USD 6 billion by 2027.

The new 78,000-square-metre terminal will increase VIA’s capacity, accommodating up to 7 million passengers annually, compared to the current terminal’s capacity of 1.5 million. It is equipped with modern facilities such as:

• Aero boarding bridges
• Advanced baggage handling systems
• Expanded retail, dining, and lounge areas