73% of the seaplane terminal being constructed at Velana International Airport (VIA) has been completed.
While the terminal's exterior facade is currently being installed, the interior work of the building has been completed, said Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). The electrical wiring and water installation are also ongoing.
Being the country with the world's largest seaplane base, the new terminal being built at Velana International Airport would revolutionize the services given at the airport. The project commenced on 29th January 2018.
While the work on the seaplane Terminal is nearly complete, construction of an airplane maintenance hangar was completed this August. Part of the hangar includes an entry-way through the sea for easy docking of seaplanes at the hangar, which is built across an area of 14,000 square meters.
By June last year, 3.2 hectares (32,000 square meters) of land were dredged to make the new seaplane terminal. The project costing US$ 40 million was contracted to China's Beijing Urban Construction group (BCUG), the same company building the new runway at the airport.
Seaplane services are currently provided by two state-owed companies Maldivian and TMA. Maldivian has been expanding their seaplane services since 2014. With 11 seaplanes in their fleet, the airline operates to 12 resorts while TMA operates to 60 resorts. With a fleet of 48 seaplanes, TMA on average makes 1.2 million trips annually. Two additional private airlines, Flyme and Manta Air are also preparing to offer seaplane services in the near future.
It is projectd that the airport development project would cost approximately US$ 800 million. While a passenger terminal is being constructed by the Saudi Company Bin Laden Group, a project worth US$ 373 million to build a 340 meter long runway has also been contracted to BUCG. A cargo terminal as well as a fuel farm will be established under the project.
The new passenger terminal is expected to be opened in 2022.
