Velana International Airport has commenced the redevelopment of its oldest taxiway, Taxiway Charlie.

The Taxiway Charlie Rebuild project was officially launched with a groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday at the Hulhulé Island Hotel. The event was attended by Li Weidong, Chairman of Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), and He Fen, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

The redevelopment contract was awarded to BUCG, a Chinese state-owned enterprise with a well-established partnership with Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) spanning over a decade. The initiative, formally named the Taxiway Charlie Rebuild, is expected to be completed by mid-2027.

The project is designed to upgrade Taxiway Charlie in line with modern international aviation standards. The redevelopment will significantly enhance the airport’s operational efficiency, safety, and quality of passenger service. Furthermore, the upgraded taxiway will be capable of serving as an emergency runway, thereby increasing the airport’s capacity and resilience.

During the inauguration ceremony, MACL’s CEO and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, noted that BUCG had been a dependable partner of MACL for the past ten years. He emphasised the company’s instrumental role in several infrastructure projects at the airport, including the refurbishment of the Code-F runway, terminal buildings, and the airport’s fuel farm.

 Li Weidong, affirmed the company’s commitment to continued cooperation with the Maldives. He stated that BUCG had developed a strong relationship of trust with MACL over the years, highlighting the successful completion of previous projects. He added that the most experienced team of engineers would be assigned to the Taxiway Charlie Rebuild.

Taxiway Charlie holds historical significance as the first runway constructed at Velana International Airport. Although it has undergone several renovations over the years, this marks its first comprehensive redevelopment to align with the highest contemporary standards.