MACL urges to speed up investigations into new seaplane terminal

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has urged a speedy conclusion into the investigations regarding the case of the new seaplane terminal being constructed at Velana international Airport (VIA).

It is believed that the leasing of the terminal to Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) is expected to bring about negative impacts on the state income, and this comes at a time the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Maldives (ACC) has also reiterated this.

MACL took to Twitter following the issue, stating that any investigations by any institution into the case is welcomed by the company.

It went on to express that MACL will always show full cooperation to authorities in the case, however, it urged authorities to speed up the investigations as VIA is required to open the new runway to save airline cost and inconvenience in pax.

The company assured the public that they always work for the benefit of the country.

This comes at a time the Public Accounts Committee of the People’s Majlis passed to seek out a special audit at the Audit Office following allegations of plans to lease the terminal to a particular party at an unfair rate. This was decided by the committee during August.

Dhaandhoo MP Yauqoob Abdulla submitted a report to the committee following reports that MACL was holding deliberations to lease the terminal to Trans Maldivian Airways.

In a report publicized, ACC stated that if the leasing is followed through, the state will lose USD 55 million each year.

While MACL earlier revealed that the new seaplane terminal will be completed later this year, a total of 18,000 square meters of land has been reclaimed for the project, which is being developed by one of China’s renowned construction companies, Beijing Urban Construction Group for a total of USD 40 million.

The new terminal will add more than 80 seaplane docking platforms and increase the floor area, lounge, and boarding gate by 50%. Further, the installment of escalators inside the terminal was completed earlier this year along with installation of air conditioning and to plant electrical wiring and plumbing.

While Maldives has the largest seaplane fleet across the globe, the new terminal measures three times bigger than the current seaplane terminal. The new terminal measures 28,000 square meters.

The current seaplane terminal provides service for up to 2,000 travelers a day and has over 60 operating sea planes.