Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has revealed that the new runway at Velana International Airport (VIA) will be open during the third quarter of the year.

The new runway is currently being used as a taxi way, which has allowed for the airport to receive flights every two minutes.

During a ceremony held to celebrate the 56th Anniversary of VIA, Deputy Managing Director of MACL Ibrahim Thoha noted that the new Seaplane Terminal will be operational during the second quarter, while the new Fire Station will open in the third quarter.

Thoha also added that while the first phase of the VIP Terminal has been completed and operational, works are ongoing on the second phase.

He further noted that the new cargo terminal and the fuel farm will also be opened during the current year.

Thoha also highlighted that MACL has been paying attention to the development of its employees as well, adding that the company has been providing higher education and training opportunities to its employees and introducing programs to go forward including increments to their salaries.

The new runway is developed to international standards to facilitate the largest airplanes. It is 34,000 meters long and 65 meters wide.

The development of the new runway was contracted to Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) with a loan of USD 373 million from the Chinese Exim Bank.