President acknowledges past contributions, prioritises opening of new VIA terminal
President Muizzu said that, at the time his government took office, 54 percent of the building’s exterior structure had been completed.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that successive governments should be recognised for their role in the development of the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), while emphasising that his administration is focused on completing the project and ensuring its economic impact.
Speaking on the President’s Office’s podcast, Rayyithunna Eku, President Muizzu responded to public debate over who deserves credit for the terminal’s construction. He said that the issue was not productive and highlighted that every administration had contributed to the airport's development.
“Work on the airport has continued through different governments,” he said. “The original airport was established during President Ibrahim Nasir’s tenure, and later developments were pursued under President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom with external assistance.”
He noted that the terminal project was initiated during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, when Muizzu served as Minister of Housing, and that significant work continued under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The new terminal is scheduled to open on 26 July.
President Muizzu said that, at the time his government took office, 54 percent of the building’s exterior structure had been completed, but many of the remaining works had not been assigned. These included key areas such as the terminal’s stand, access roads, and internal services like duty-free shops.
“The main structural work was not enough to open the terminal,” he said. “Essential support services and commercial components had not yet been contracted out.”
He stated that his administration has made the terminal’s opening a priority due to its expected contribution to the national economy. “From the first day I inspected the project, I said this was the most important initiative for the government to complete.”
President Muizzu said the original target was to open the terminal by October last year. However, the work has continued into this year, with a scheduled opening now set for the end of July.
