Relocation of seaplane terminal planned for VIA development

The new seaplane terminal at the Velana International Airport (VIA) should be relocated to accommodate the projects required to be carried out under the airport development project inaugurated on Thursday evening, President Mohammed Muizzu said.

The President inaugurated the project to expand the VIA terminal to serve 25 million passengers annually.

The video report shown at the ceremony said that the seaplane terminal will be relocated to another island and will be connected to Hulhule and Male by bridges.

The president said the aim is to complete most of the project within the next five years and complete it entirely within 10 years.

“During this year, hopefully, the most important, essential first steps in this plan will be launched,” he said.

"It is the relocation of the seaplane terminal. Once the path is paved for the relocation of the seaplane terminal, we will be able to move forward at a faster pace,” the president said.

The seaplane terminal will be relocated to provide dredging space for other works in the project, he said.

The new domestic terminal, jet service terminal and new cargo facility will be built in the area where seaplane is currently operated.

“Therefore, the dredging of the land and the relocation of the seaplane terminal and the most important thing associated with it is the relocation of the existing fuel storage in Funadhoo,” he said.

The work will start this year and be completed within the next two years, he said.

The president announced on Thursday evening that the funds for the projects have been raised.

The Noovilu Seaplane Terminal, which is currently used at the VIA, was built during the government of former President Abdulla Yameen. The terminal was completed in 2022. The terminal project cost USD 55 million (MVR 848.1 million).