On 15 September 2014, in the presence of the leadership of both the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives, Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) signed a preliminary agreement for the expansion of Velana International Airport (VIA). This landmark initiative represented a significant milestone under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and underscored the shared commitment of both nations to strengthening regional connectivity.

As the principal gateway to the Maldives, VIA’s existing infrastructure had become inadequate to support the country’s rapidly expanding tourism sector. BUCG undertook the airport’s expansion under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model, ensuring that work proceeded in an organised manner without disrupting day-to-day airport operations. The outcome was the successful transformation of VIA into a modern international hub capable of accommodating Airbus A380 aircraft.

The comprehensive scope of the projects included:

Over the past decade (2014–2025), BUCG has demonstrated unwavering dedication, engineering excellence, and deep partnership, leaving an indelible mark on the aviation landscape of the Maldives.

In 2015, following extensive site surveys and feasibility studies, BUCG proposed an innovative and forward-thinking implementation strategy. The team encountered significant engineering challenges during the runway design stage due to abrupt seabed variations and steep drop-offs on the northern perimeter of Hulhulé Island.

To optimise resources and enhance project efficiency, the design team

Rather than prioritising profit, BUCG consistently placed the client’s interests first. Through rigorous value engineering, the company achieved over USD 10 million in cost savings for MACL, creating a true win-win solution for BUCG, MACL, and all stakeholders involved.

Following the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, numerous international enterprises operating in the Maldives experienced severe disruptions, resulting in delays or suspension of major projects. During this critical period, when multiple airport facilities were still under construction, more than half of BUCG’s project personnel voluntarily returned to the Maldives from China, despite the significant health risks.

The company organised chartered flights to remobilise both manpower and materials, ensuring that progress continued uninterrupted. Pandemic restrictions extended standard staff leave periods from 20 days to nearly two months, yet many team members sacrificed personal time, deferring vacations to maintain construction schedules.

Remarkably, 60 per cent of project staff worked continuously for 20 months, with some dedicating over 30 months without a single vacation.This extraordinary dedication enabled BUCG to deliver critical airport infrastructure on time, including the runway, apron, cargo terminal, seaplane terminal, maintenance hangar, fire station, and VIP/CIP terminal.

Their perseverance reflected the responsibility and resilience of a major Chinese state-owned enterprise, writing a profound chapter of courage, professionalism, and international cooperation in the Maldives.

Over the course of the decade, BUCG and MACL cultivated a deeply trusted partnership. The BUCG team considered itself an integral part of the airport community, prioritising operational safety and stability in all construction and maintenance work.

The company’s responsiveness to emergency situations earned it the informal title of “Emergency Response Department” at VIA. For example, in early 2024, a critical island-wide power failure occurred late at night. Within 30 minutes of receiving MACL’s request for assistance, more than 200 BUCG personnel—including management and technical staff—were mobilised to the site. They worked through the night and restored power before the first morning flight arrived, demonstrating remarkable efficiency and commitment.

Since BUCG commenced its first project at VIA in 2015, the airport has undergone unprecedented modernisation, with core operational indicators improving dramatically

In total, BUCG has delivered more than 30 facilities and approximately 520,000 square meters of airfield pavement, providing long-term momentum to the Maldivian economy and earning widespread recognition from government, industry, and the public alike.

The past decade has been one of mutual growth for BUCG and Velana International Airport, further strengthening the enduring friendship between China and the Maldives.

Going forward, BUCG remains firmly committed to its guiding philosophy: “Achieving Client Success, Honouring Cooperation, Inheriting the Spirit of National Craftsmanship, and Building a Better World.”

The company plans to deepen its participation in the Maldives’ infrastructure development, delivering world-class projects that drive sustainable economic and social progress, while writing a new chapter of strategic cooperation and shared prosperity between the two nations.