President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said the new runway will only be used once the terminal expansion project is completed.
Delivering the presidential address, President Solih stated without the completion of a new terminal, neither the full potential of the new runway at the airport will be realised, nor bring more tourists to the country.
Moreover, President Solih said the economic progress and tourism industry are fundamentally tied to the ongoing project to develop and expand Velana International Airport (VIA), adding the need to improve the services currently offered and to expand the capacity of the airport is paramount to accommodate the increasing number of tourists.
Revealing the slow progress of the development of VIA relative to the rate at which the tourism sector is expanding, poses a persistent challenge to the sector and curbs its optimal performance, the president expressed therefore the administration has deployed relevant resources to accelerate the development of the airport.
The president said the capacity and operation of the international seaport in Maldives needs to be developed, alongside VIA. In this regard, he noted while the Maldivian economy is largely import-oriented in all areas, the narrow capacity of the Male' Commercial Harbour causes many hindrances to businesses.