VIA terminal 85% complete; to open by July 2025

The new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) is 85% complete and scheduled to open by July 2025, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said Tuesday.

The update was provided by MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed in response to a query by Gadhdhoo MP Mohamed Ali during a meeting of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOE) Committee's sub-committee on government-owned companies.

Shareef noted that the construction progress is ahead of the planned schedule.

"The terminal works are as planned. The target completion level to date was 82%, but we have achieved 85%. This indicates the work is proceeding as per schedule. According to the current timeline, the terminal will open by June or July next year," he stated.

The government had earlier announced that part of the terminal was expected to open later this year. Shareef acknowledged that technically, this is feasible but highlighted concerns raised by the Airline Operators Committee (AOC), which represents the airlines operating at the airport.

The AOC advised against opening part of the terminal during the high season to avoid operational disruptions. Shareef explained, "One reason cited is the potential impact on connecting flights. For instance, a delay of six hours at the airport could disrupt onward flights from Dubai to Europe."

Shareef also confirmed that MACL is engaging with the contractor to ensure the project progresses smoothly. He stated, "Since the new management took over MACL, there have been no delays caused by us in the terminal project."

The new terminal is part of a broader initiative to enhance the capacity and operational efficiency of VIA.