President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has inaugurated the new cargo terminal at the Velana International Airport (VIA).

The new cargo terminal was opened at a ceremony held at the VIA today. The ceremony was attended by the President Muizzu, Vice President Hussain Mohammed Latheef and Economic Minister Ahmed Saeed. Other Cabinet Ministers were also present.

Speaking at the ceremony, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) CEO and MD Ibrahim Shareef said the new cargo terminal is a state-of-the-art building.

The former cargo building was built 40 years ago and does not provide modern services. The terminal has a capacity of 50 tonnes per annum but is serving 75 tonnes more than the capacity, he said.

The new cargo terminal will have a capacity of 120,000 tonnes per annum, Shareef said.

The cargo terminal also opened with a three-story office building.

The new cargo terminal project is part of the major project to develop the VIA. The cargo terminal development was first started during the tenure of former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom.