Maldives' main airport operator on Monday assured that the new runway had been built in accordance with international regulations under the guidance of a team of international aviation experts.
The assurance came in the wake of rumours that USD400 million worth new runway at Velana International Airport (VIA) was not up to international aviation standards.
Speaking to reporters on the newly built runway, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Managing Director Adil Moosa said the runway along with the other projects to revamp the airport was being carried out under the strict guidance of a team of experts from the globally renowned consultancy firm Surbana International.
The team overseeing the project boasts experts from UK, US Australia, Bulgaria and New Zealand, Moosa added.
"The airport development project is being implemented under a comprehensive plan. The project is being monitored by Surbana International which provides consultancy for airports such as the Changi airport in Singapore. So we can give the highest quality assurance for this project and is being carried out to meet international standards," he explained.
Constructed with loan aid from the Chinese Exim Bank, the new runway would be 3400 meters long and 65 meters wide.
The runway will meet the highest standards of modern aviation, and will contain three separate layers constructed with state of the art facilities.
The airport would be able to accommodate the largest air crafts such as the Airbus A380 which is scheduled to land at VIA on September 18 to officially inaugurate the new runway.
A new passenger terminal is also under development at the airport, contracted to the Bin Laden Group for USD300 million. The total project cost for the new terminal rises to USD800 million with added costs.
