Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has stated the new Code-F runway built in Velana International Airport (VIA) will be brought into operation next year.
Speaking to PSM News, MACL’s General Manager Corporate Communications Hassan Areef said all major infrastructure projects launched in VIA will be completed by next year. Noting the construction of the new runway has already been completed, Areef said there have been delays in bringing the new runway into operation due to the ongoing construction of the seaplane terminal near the runway. He affirmed the new runway can be brought into operation by next year.
Areef further noted the current runway will be used as a taxiway once the new runway is brought into operation. He said the new runway will bring down flight clearance time from 15 minutes to under 3 minutes.
The new Code-F runway 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. The project was funded by a loan provided by China-based Axis Bank Limited. The runway was developed to accommodate the biggest commercial airplanes currently in use.