- Additional airlines will get opportunity to start operations
Managing Director of the Maldives Airports company Limited MACL, Ibrahim Shareef has said that services at the new Airport Terminal to be opened on 26th of this month will match the high-level services currently being provided to tourists. He said MACL will aim for IATA Optimum standard, which is the best possible level.
MACL had earlier noted that opening of the new terminal would pave the way to further expand tourism in the country.
MD Shareef noted that even at present 90 percent of passengers who travel through our main gate, Velana International Airport are tourists. But he said the current terminal can barely accommodate such huge movements at a high standard, due to space constraints. He said with the opening of the new, State of the art terminal, it would very much help to speedup up services, which would in turn create space to accommodate additional airlines who wish to operate flights during the prime time, which is between 6am to 3pm.
Shareef noted that 85 percent of the passengers arrive during the prime time. Hence airlines demand slots for same. He said this would be made possible with the new opening, noting that airport services operate in close collaboration with the tourism Industry.
The new Terminal of Velana International Airport is designed to accommodate up-to 7 million Tourists annually. The Garand Opening of the modern-style terminal is slated to coincide with the country’s Independence Day which is the 26th of this month. Challenges faced at the current terminal is expected to be fully overcome with the new opening.
