Elevating the Maldives’ status as a world-class travel destination, the newly constructed passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) has been officially praised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for meeting full international standards and operational requirements. The facility is part of the Maldivian government’s broader vision to transform VIA into a modern aviation hub that supports the nation’s booming tourism sector and rising international passenger demand.
Slated to open on July 26 to coincide with the country’s Independence Day celebrations, the new terminal represents one of the largest infrastructure developments undertaken in the Maldives’ aviation history. Spanning 78,000 square metres, the state-of-the-art terminal is engineered to accommodate up to seven million passengers annually, a dramatic leap from the existing terminal’s capacity of 1.5 million. The terminal features 47 check-in counters inspired by local Maldivian aesthetics, six self-service kiosks, and 24 check-in counters dedicated exclusively to seaplane passengers, reflecting the country’s unique geography and demand for inter-island connectivity.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), following a detailed inspection tour conducted with the Operational Readiness, Activation, and Transition (ORAT) team, acknowledged the terminal’s alignment with international best practices in airport design and functionality. CAA’s Air Transport Director, Abdulla Rasheed, remarked that the new terminal will significantly improve the experience for tourists visiting the Maldives and praised the facility for its quality and preparedness.
The ORAT process, a comprehensive readiness protocol widely adopted in the global aviation industry, ensures that every component of the new terminal, from infrastructure and systems to human resources, is fully operational before passenger services commence. Through this methodology, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which manages VIA, is leading a structured rollout involving extensive training and stakeholder engagement to minimize operational risks and ensure seamless service from day one.
As part of the final operational readiness activities, MACL is hosting guided walkthroughs of the terminal for key government and industry stakeholders. These tours are essential for acclimating partners and authorities to the layout, systems, and passenger flow strategies of the new facility.
Initially, the terminal will cater to international passengers of Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, as MACL phases the full-scale activation of services. This strategic decision underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening national carriers while maintaining high service standards for inbound travelers.
This milestone comes amid ongoing government-led efforts to enhance aviation infrastructure and improve the overall connectivity and travel experience for foreign visitors. The new terminal project is a core component of national development priorities aimed at supporting the tourism industry, the backbone of the Maldivian economy. With increasing tourist arrivals and growing interest in the Maldives as a premium holiday destination, the government has prioritized investments in airport infrastructure to meet rising demand, ensure efficient passenger flow, and maintain international competitiveness.
The development of this advanced passenger terminal at Velana International Airport reflects the Maldives’ long-term vision of becoming a premier aviation and tourism hub in the Indian Ocean, offering world-class facilities to millions of travelers each year.
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