Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has begun operating the newly-developed South West Apron in Velana International Airport (VIA).
The first aircraft that was parked at the South West Apron was an Airbus A320 operated by the national airline, Maldivian. MACL welcomed the aircraft to the apron with a water salute.
The newly-developed apron includes a pavement and a taxi lane and can cater to 5 Code-E aircraft and 7 Code-C aircraft at any given time. The 70,000 square metre apron is developed in 3 phases with the first phase now complete.
MACL launched the project to expand the parking space for aircraft at VIA in January 2018. Upon completion of the project, conducted in 3 phases, an area of 212,000 square metres would be provided to park aircraft.
The project was contracted to China-based Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), the same company that constructed the new Code-F runway at VIA.
VIA is undergoing an expansion project worth USD 1 billion.