Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer has revealed that the government has not made a decision on leasing the the new seaplane terminal currently under construction at Velana International Airport (VIA).
The minister's statement comes amid rumors that the government intends to lease the terminal to Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), causing potential losses for the state. While it has been reported that board members of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) are pushing the move, several seaplane operators are expressing concern on the issue.
Answering inquiries posed by Maavashu MP Mohamed Saeed at the Parliament on Tuesday, Finance Minister Ameer shed light on the matter and said the government has not made a decision to lease the terminal to a foreign company.
"No decisions have been made to lease the terminal to a foreign company. We will hold discussions among the government before coming to a decision", the minister said.
The construction of the terminal was initiated during President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's tenure. The project is being handled by China's BUCG Company for US$ 40 million.
