Many new VIA terminal works not contracted, Muizzu says

President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday that the new terminal project contractor of Velana International Airport (VIA) has not been entrusted with the task of completing most of the work required to begin operating it.

President-elect Muizzu on Sunday visited the airport to inspect the progress of the new international terminal.

Muizzu has repeatedly said that his top priority after taking over the government will be to complete the airport development project.

The new terminal is being constructed by Saudi Arabia's Saudi Bin Laden Group. The company was awarded the project in 2016 and 54% of the work has been completed, Muizzu said.

"They say that 54% of their scope is almost complete now. There are signs of that. However, their scope is still scheduled to be completed by mid-2025. I want to complete their scope by October 2024," he said.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the terminal, Muizzu said there were important works that were not included in the work of the Bin Laden Group.

"There are works that will prevent the operation of the terminal even when the scope of the Bin Laden Group has been completed. For example, the service road connecting all these operations. The road has not been commissioned. It is also a very important project," he said.

The road will take about 10 months to build and that is one of the top priorities, he said.

"Unless it is handed over now, it will not be operational even if this place is completed by said date," he said.

The duty free area of the international terminal has not been handed over to anyone either, he said.

"There is no duty free completion in this project. There is only basic finishing. Without bringing duty free operation, the airport will not be complete," he said.

"We will also entrust someone to complete the duty free," he said.

In addition, Muizzu said the airport apron should be enlarged to make the most of the new terminal. The work is also not included in the scope of work and the area where the tourist booths are located has not been assigned to complete, he said.

"Therefore, the apron extension should be handed over to someone. The area should be handed over. Hopefully we will work in parallel [together] and if there is a shortage of funding for this, we will certainly prioritize this target so that it can be achieved,"

Muizzu said there is still a lot of work to be done to make full use of the airport.

"The jet service has to have a jet terminal. A planned solution should be brought to the land side transport parking," he said.

The President-elect said he would do everything necessary to complete the project.

Regarding the funds required, Muizzu said the airport project has received USD 80 million from Abu Dhabi through discussions he held with the Abu Dhabi Development Fund on his recent visit.

"My answer is very hopeful. A very hopeful assurance. In recovering the economy, this project will do everything we need to do to meet the target”.

The airport's new terminal: