The new international terminal under development at Velana International Airport (VIA) will significantly increase the number of tourists visiting the Maldives year on year, Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC)’s Managing Director Ibrahim Shiuree has said. Shiuree made the remark in a social media post on the new terminal.
The development of the new international terminal at VIA commenced in 2017. The international standard terminal is being developed with modern facilities, and will benefit the country’s economy in various areas, particularly the tourism sector.
Currently, the existing terminal at VIA serves 1.5 million passengers annually. However, while over two million tourists visit the Maldives annually, the current terminal continues to serve at over capacity. The new terminal at VIA will effectively address this issue, with its capacity to serve 7 million passengers annually. Tourism experts believe this will significantly boost tourist arrivals to the Maldives.
In his post, Shiuree said the new terminal would create new opportunities for economic growth. While the Maldives is currently visited by 2 million tourists annually, this number will be raised with the launch of the new terminal, he said.
"I am confident that this terminal will be a world-class terminal. Tourists will have access to international-level services and experiences,” Shiuree said.
While the government prepares to officially open the new terminal on 26 July, to coincide with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations, industry experts have also highlighted the improvements the new terminal would bring to the tourism industry.
While the new terminal has been under construction for eight years, the current government has been giving special priority to accelerating the terminal’s construction. Following his victory in the 2023 Presidential Election, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu inspected the progress of the terminal development in his capacity as the President-elect, reflecting the priority he attached to the project. He noted that the terminal’s completion would boost the number of tourist arrivals as well as increase accessibility to services.
The President recently announced he would work to develop halal tourism in the Maldives. Industry experts believe the new terminal will pave the way for the development of various types of tourism in the Maldives.
Over the past 1.5 years of this government, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has made significant efforts to expedite the work of the terminal under the direct guidance of the President. With those efforts, the terminal, which was previously scheduled to open in October this year, is now set to open two months earlier. The newly developed international terminal spans over 78,000 square feet, and is dedicated exclusively for international flights. Like most modern airports, aero bridges will be used at the new terminal.