A large-scale exercise to prepare for emergencies will be conducted at Maldives' main international airport next month.
Velana International Airport (VIA)'s operator, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), said the exercise titled 'Airport Full Scale Emergency Exercise' will take place on March 16. This is the first time an exercise of this scale would be conducted at the airport.
According to MACL, the exercise will be carried out together with National Disaster Management Authority. The airport runway will be closed for four hours while the exercise is conducted.
'The exercise will be carried out late afternoon. The runway will be closed for four hours. We have planned to carry out the exercise during the low season. We have already informed airlines to reschedule flights,' a media official from MACL told AVAS.
MACL has started conducting workshops for participants in preparation for the exercise. Maldives Police Service, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), Girl Guides, and Scouts will participate in the exercise. The airline partner of the Airport Full Scale Emergency Exercise is Emirates.
