Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has revealed efforts are underway to commence to bring the new runway at Velana International Airport (VIA) to operation.
Speaking to media regarding the developmental projects at VIA, Associate General Manager Mohamed Salah said preparations are underway to begin operations in the new runway commemorating the tourist season of the year. Salah added the first live flight operation has been concluded successfully at the new south west apron developed along with the new runway, expressing hope to begin commercial operations of the runway in the last quarter of the year. He revealed projects to develop a new cargo terminal and a fuel farm are also progressing at a fast pace, adding the aim is to begin using the buildings mid next year.
The new Code-F runway is 3,400 metres long and 60 metres wide. The runway was developed by China based-Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) at a cost of USD 400 million. The project was funded by a loan provided by China-based Axis Bank Limited. The runway was developed to accommodate the biggest commercial airplanes currently in use.
While the runway was completed in July last year, test flights were conducted in September. However, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the new runway will only be used once the terminal expansion project is completed.
Delivering the presidential address, President Solih stated without the completion of a new terminal, neither the full potential of the new runway at the airport nor bringing more tourists to the country, will be realised.
MACL has said the new passenger terminal will cater about 7.5 million passengers a year.