President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has officially inaugurated the new runway at Velana International Airport (VIA) by granting permission to Etihad Airways flight EK278 flight to land.
The maiden flight to land at the new runway, an Airbus A380, which carried the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2018 winning Maldivian national football team. This was the first time an Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in operation, landed at a runway in Maldives. The Etihad Airways flight was piloted by a Maldivian, Captain Ali Ahsan.
Upon arrival of the flight, President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim welcomed the Maldivian national football team. The national team, led by Captain Akram Abdul Ghanee, then handed over the trophy to the president. As part of the ceremony, many activities were held to inaugurate the new runway and welcome the national football team to Maldives, including a water salute, formation flying and parachuting.
The new runway developed at VIA is 3,400 metres long and 60 metres wide. The runway was developed by China based-Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) at a cost of USD 400 million, funded by a loan provided by Axis Bank Limited.
The commercial operations of the code F runway will commence after three months, according to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).