The new seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), 'Noovilu' Seaplane Terminal is now open for operations.

The terminal was opened during a special ceremony on Thursday morning by Vice President Faisal Naseem, Chinese Ambassador Wang Lixin, and Chairman of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Mohamed Umar Manik.

Even though the Noovilu Terminal was officially opened today, it had been operational with limited services since last July.

MACL further revealed that all the services are now available at the new terminal, including all services related to Manta Air and Trans-Maldivian Airways (TMA) seaplane operations.

The new seaplane terminal was developed under the airport development project for USD 55 million (MVR 848 million), by MACL. The spacious new terminal includes an outlet of 'Dhovemi' shop and 43 lounges. These include a business lounge by MACL, which is already operational. The majority of the lounges leased to resorts are also operational now.

With the new seaplane terminal, 47 docks are now being used for seaplane operations, with the plan to build 24 more docks. The hangar at the terminal is also being used for maintenance requirements, while auto fueling systems are also placed at the terminal.

The largest commercial operation of seaplanes is in the Maldives, with 300 flight movements daily during low season which moves an average of 4,500 passengers through the terminal daily. High season movements are around 600 flights a day with average 6,500 passengers.