The new international terminal at Velana International Airport has reached a pivotal milestone in advance of its scheduled opening on 26 July, with the completion of its water supply connection.
The achievement was marked at an inauguration ceremony attended by senior officials from the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), the state-owned operator of the airport. The connection was formally commissioned by Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, MACL's managing director, in the presence of other company executives.
To service the new facility, MACL installed an 1,800-metre pipeline, including a 635-metre segment laid beneath the Hulhulé lagoon, part of a system designed to deliver uninterrupted potable water throughout the terminal.
As the 26 July opening approaches, preparations across operational areas are gathering pace, with the terminal expected to serve as a key driver of the country's economy by accommodating a projected rise in international tourist arrivals. The government has set a target of attracting 2.3 million foreign visitors in 2025. Authorities say the terminal's enhanced capacity will be instrumental in reaching that goal, reinforcing VIA's status as the country's principal economic gateway.