tour

The final phase of renovation and modification work of the Velana International Airport (VIA)'s apron has commenced.

According to Maldives Airports Company (MACL), once the second phase of the modification work is complete, the apron will have the capacity to park two A380 airbuses. Several works have been done until now to increase the parking capacity of the VIA. The first phase of the apron renovation work was completed last year.

The project is handled by the Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) of China. BUCG completed the first phase of the project last year. The size of the project area is 70,000 square feet.

VIA, the main airport of the Maldives currently lacks state-of-the-art facilities. Once the apron renovation and modification work are concluded, the fueling facility for aeroplanes will reach completion.

The US$ 800 million project was initiated during the tenure of former President Yameen Abdul Qayyoom. US$ 373 million from the figure was spent on the construction of the new runway of the airport. Although the work of the runway is complete, it has not yet been opened. The development of a passenger terminal, a fuel farm, and a cargo terminal is also ongoing as part of the project. The most significant part of the project is the new international terminal.