New Terminal at VIA to Open by December, Announces Tourism Minister

Minister of Tourism Ibrahim Faisal has revealed that the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) will be inaugurated by December, marking a significant development for the Maldives’ tourism sector. 

The announcement, made during his World Tourism Day message, emphasised that the terminal is a crucial element of the broader airport modernisation project. Minister Faisal highlighted that the new terminal is expected to play a vital role in supporting the growth of the country’s tourism industry. He confirmed that the terminal will be operational by December, while the entire airport is projected to be fully functional by the first or second quarter of next year.

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Faisal also underscored the importance of attracting more airlines to the Maldives once the terminal is open. He noted that the government is planning to collaborate with the tourism sector on targeted marketing campaigns to leverage the terminal’s inauguration. The aim is to increase visitor numbers, boost occupancy rates, and enhance tourist spending. Currently, tourism contributes USD 4.5 billion to the national economy, with a goal to raise this figure to USD 6 billion by 2027.

The existing terminal at VIA handles 1.5 million passengers annually, whereas the newly constructed 78,000-square-metre terminal will be able to accommodate up to 7 million passengers per year. The new facility will feature modern amenities, including aero boarding bridges, advanced baggage handling systems, and a range of food and beverage outlets, retail shops, and lounges. These upgrades are expected to resolve the capacity constraints of the current terminal.