Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has decided to close Velana International Airport (VIA) from 2100 hours to 0600 hours every night until further notice.
The decision was made due to a significant decline in international flights which have in turn reduced operations and movement. Associate General Manager of VIA Hassan Areef said there are no scheduled flights currently during that time. He said the last flight departing at night generally leaves before 2100 hours and hence, there is no need to keep the operations ongoing.
Although VIA has decided to close the operations during the said hours, the airport will be made operational if a flight has to be landed to VIA for medical or emergency purposes.
The global pandemic of COVId-19 has caused airlines to cease flights to Maldives. The government of Maldives has also stopped issuing on arrival visas and banned tourist arrivals to the country to contain the spread of the virus. The main gateway to Maldives is seen deserted in the past few weeks.