President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the new terminal of Velana International Airport (VIA) will be opened, and services will begin before October this year.

He said this during his second presidential address, delivered at the inaugural sitting of the People’s Majlis on Thursday morning.

The president noted that the Velana International Airport terminal will be opened before October this year, and that Hanimaadhoo Airport and Addu Gan Airport will also be inaugurated after completion this year.

President Muizzu said that work is underway to open M. Muli Airport in April, and in addition to this, work on airports in Nilandhoo island of Faafu atoll, Guraidhoo island of Thaa atoll, Vilufushi island of Thaa atoll, Mathiveri island of Alif Alif atoll, Kaadedhdhoo island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll, Villingili island of Gaaf Alif atoll, Milandhoo island of Shaviyani atoll, Komandoo island of Shaviyani atoll, Bilehfahi island of Shaviyani atoll, Fainu island of Raa atoll, Dhidhdhoo island of Haa Alif atoll, Alifushi island of Raa atoll, Thulhaadhoo island of Baa atoll and Kadhdhoo island of Laamu atoll will progress through multiple stages this year.

Further, he said that work will begin on expanding services at the airports in Kulhudhuffushi City in Haa Dhaal atoll and Funadhoo island of Shaviyani atoll this year, as promised.

Highlighting that expanding and expediting the sea transport system to provide easier ways for citizens is a government policy, the president said that RTL ferry services will begin across all atolls of the Maldives before the end of this year.

While President Muizzu has stated that the VIA terminal will be opened and services will begin before October this year, in his 2024 presidential address, he had revealed that the VIA development project will be completed and services will begin in 2024.