The countdown to the official opening of the new international passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) has begun, with 35 days remaining until the scheduled inauguration on July 26.

The countdown was launched in front of the airport's VIP lounge by Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, Chief Executive Officer of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

The event marks the start of final preparations as the company moves closer to opening one of the largest infrastructure upgrades in the country’s aviation sector.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Ibrahim Shareef commended the efforts of staff involved in working on the terminal’s completion. He encouraged employees to approach the project as a national responsibility and to set an example through their professionalism.

In addition, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver, stating that their dedication had been clearly evident during his time at the company.

The new terminal is expected to significantly increase the airport’s capacity, with the ability to accommodate up to seven million passengers annually. This expansion aims to ease pressure on the existing international terminal, which currently handles around 1.5 million passengers per year.

Spanning 78,000 square metres, the new facility will include a range of modern features such as aerobridges, advanced baggage handling systems, passenger lounges, retail outlets, and food and beverage services.