The hanger developed at the new seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) is now in use.
The Hulhule' lagoon was dredged to develop the seaplane dock and hangar over an area of 14,000 square meters. The main international airport operator, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), said seaplane maintenance work is ongoing at the hangar. An official from MACL said the hangar being in operational condition would improve the airport's efficiency.
The world's largest seaplane operator, Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), is utilizing the hangar for the repair and maintenance of the airline's fleet of over 60 seaplanes.
While the development of the seaplane terminal has reached completion, the private companies that would offer services from the seaplane terminal are currently developing their lounges. MACL said the work is expected to conclude by the end of March, and the terminal is scheduled to open on April 1.
Lounge services at the new seaplane terminal:
TMA: one lounge
Manta Air: five lounges
Exclusive Resort Lounges: 45
MACL Business Lounge: one
MACL Common Lounge: two
Staff Canteen: one
Boarding gate: 32
The dredging and reclamation of over 3.2 hectares to develop the seaplane terminal was completed in June 2015. The foundation for the terminal was laid on January 29, 2018. The mega-scale project is worth USD 40 million.
