There are delays in opening the new runway built at Maldives' main international airport, Velana International Airport (VIA), due to buildings not being cleared from the area, the government has said.
During Sunday's Parliament Budget Committee meeting, Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer was asked regarding the delays in opening the runway causing losses to the tourism industry. In his response, Ameer said the delays were due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as some buildings in the area could not be demolished and cleared. However, the government expects to open the new runway early next year, he said.
Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom officially opened the new runway at VIA on September 5, 2018. Although the opening was marked by landing Etihad Airway's A380 aircraft on the runway, it has not been used until now as some other aspects of the project remain incomplete. The runway was developed with loan assistance of USD 373 million from China's EXIM bank by China's Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUSG). The runway is 400 meters in length and 60 meters wide.
