A major boost to aviation infrastructure has been realized at Velana International Airport (VIA) with the opening of Island Aviation Services Limited’s (IASL) first dedicated engineering service facility, named the Ali Firaq Engineering Service Building. This facility marks a pivotal step in improving operational efficiency, safety standards, and overall service quality for the national airline, Maldivian, which is operated under IASL.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Sunday at VIA, was attended by the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, Mohamed Ameen, and IASL’s Managing Director, Ibrahim Iyas. The facility is named in memory of the late Ali Firaq, a long-serving and respected member of IASL’s engineering department who initially proposed the concept in 2015.
According to IASL, the engineering building was envisioned as a necessary foundation for future growth and self-reliance in aircraft maintenance. The proposal for the facility was formally prepared in 2016, with budgetary approval granted by the board in 2021. Construction began in 2022 and culminated in Sunday’s ceremony, bringing to fruition a near-decade-long vision of internal capacity building within the company.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas highlighted that the building will play a vital role in supporting staff and optimizing internal operations. “This building provides critical infrastructure for managing aircraft spare parts and improving the working environment for our engineering personnel,” he said. “It represents a major investment in the future of the company, driven by commitment and collaborative effort.”
The facility is expected to significantly enhance Maldivian’s technical service capabilities and reduce the dependency on third-party maintenance services. Staff members from the engineering division also expressed that the new space will expedite repair operations and increase day-to-day efficiency.
Minister Ameen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the government’s strategic objective of transforming IASL into a financially sustainable and technically capable aviation service provider. “Our goal is to support IASL’s evolution into a profitable entity within the next one to two years,” he stated. “This facility will not only reduce maintenance-related costs but also improve the safety and reliability of Maldivian’s operations.”
Beyond domestic service, Maldivian also provides aircraft maintenance for several international airlines operating flights to the Maldives. With the new facility in place, IASL is now better equipped to expand its services, contributing to the Maldives’ appeal as a competitive aviation hub in the Indian Ocean.
The Minister further highlighted the government’s broader commitment to advancing the aviation sector under the guidance of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. “This building is a symbol of the President’s focus on the aviation industry and the long-term vision to develop a truly national airline that is not just symbolic in name, but functional and internationally competitive,” he said.
From an airport marketing and tourism promotion perspective, this milestone strengthens VIA’s position as a strategic gateway in the region. Enhanced in-house engineering and maintenance capabilities at the country’s main international airport translate to higher operational standards and reliability for both tourists and international airline partners. As Velana International Airport continues to serve as the primary point of entry for more than 90% of Maldives’ visitors, such infrastructure developments align directly with national tourism growth targets.
Island Aviation’s continued investments also support MACL’s (Maldives Airports Company Limited) overarching goal of making VIA a world-class airport that caters to increasing passenger volumes while meeting the rigorous technical and safety standards required by international aviation stakeholders.
By streamlining operations and improving internal capacity, this development lays the foundation for future expansions, including regional aviation support services and enhanced airport-based logistics, an essential factor in maintaining the Maldives’ competitive edge in the global tourism market.
As the Maldives continues to welcome millions of tourists annually, the opening of the Ali Firaq Engineering Service Building reinforces the nation’s commitment to aviation excellence, economic sustainability, and operational resilience, ensuring that travelers can experience the Maldives with confidence and comfort from the moment they arrive.
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