Velana International Airport (VIA) celebrates its 54th anniversary

Velana International Airport: April 12, 2020 – Velana International Airport (VIA) celebrates its 54th anniversary, today. Demonstrating social distancing and wearing masks, a flag hoisting event was held at VIA to mark the occasion this morning. The operator of VIA, Maldives Airports Company Ltd’s (MACL) Acting Managing Director(AMD) Mr. Moosa Solih, Management Team & staff participated at the event. Speaking at the event, AMD Mr. Moosa Solih congratulated the employees on the occasion and highlighted that last year (2019) was a successful year as air traffic movements had a 16% increase and seen a 13% increase in passenger traffic. The west apron first phase and east apron were also open for operations in 2019. However, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, VIA has been hit hard with fewer flights. He further states that the 40 international flights per day had been reduced to two airplanes, and on domestic operations, around five flights fly against 50 flights per day earlier. AMD Mr. Moosa Solih applauded the efforts taken by MACL on taking preventive steps against COVID-19 at VIA at a very early stage with guidance from Health Authorities.

Acting Managing Director said that “I always believe that the most valuable asset of our company is our employees. Today, I especially applaud to all the dedicated and hardworking staff who are working at the airport during the current global crisis”. Mr. Solih stressed that, during the current pandemic, the employees who are working on the frontline at the airport are not only doing their job for the company, but it is their service for the nation. Today’s event was concluded with a special prayer. VIA was opened by former President of the Maldives Mr. Ibrahim Nasir on April 12, 1966.

Note to editor:
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is a 100% government owned limited liability company incorporated under the Companies Act of the Rep of Maldives. MACL is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Privatisation & Corporatisation Board of the Maldives. The Corporate Office of MACL is on the island of Hulhule’, Republic of Maldives. Maldives Airports Company is the operator of Velana International Airport and has been massively involved in destination marketing and bringing in new airlines to the Maldives to boost up the tourism industry. MACL has embarked on one of the biggest projects in the history of Maldives in developing the future Velana International Airport such as the development of a brand new international passenger terminal, a new code F runway, a new cargo terminal complex and a new fuel farm along with hydrant system and major infrastructure developments at Velana internationals Airport.

For further information, please contact:
Mr. Hassan Areef
General Manager, Corporate Communication,
Maldives Airport Company Ltd, mail: hassan.areef@macl.aero,
Website: www.macl.aero , Twitter: @MACLmedia