It has been revealed that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's government has decided to give two floors of the CIP terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) to JETEX, under a mysterious deal.

A reliable source confirmed to RaajjeMV that the decision to hand over two floors of the CIP Terminal at VIA to JETEX was made following a recent change in the board of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), which operates Velana Airport, and with the influence of a close associate of the president and a person holding a powerful political position in the President's Office.

The source further revealed that the MACL board was reshuffled specifically to facilitate the government’s plan to allocate two floors of the new terminal to JETEX.

JETEX is a private aviation and flight support company based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The company operates 38 fixed-base operators and ground handling stations in over 50 locations worldwide, including the Middle East, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa, and America.

RaajjeMV understands that MACL is in the process of deciding to lease two floors of VIA's CIP terminal to Jetex, the Dubai-based private jet service provider.

Former Legal Advisor to the President at the President’s Office, Ahmed Mauroof has taken to social media platform ‘X’, expressing concern over this issue. He stated that he learned MACL had decided or was deciding to lease two floors of VIA's CIP terminal to JETEX, a Dubai-based private jet service company. He added that MACL could make good use of that space and facilities to generate substantial revenue.

Mauroof further stated that leasing the space to a party that doesn't bring significant investment or improvement to the infrastructure is not sensible. He asserted that without doubt, this deal involves some aspects of corruption and is an agreement that would bring unjust benefits worth millions of U.S. dollars.

In addition to this, it has been reported that the decision was made to be implemented on Independence Day. While the deal has been made with JETEX, several individuals have been criticizing the decision on social media. Those who previously accused the government of selling the airport to GMR are now working towards handling a matter that could directly benefit the Maldivian state in a different manner through an opaque deal.

The new VIP/CIP terminal being built at Velana International Airport is a four-story building targeting high-level officials, big businessmen, and dignitaries. It includes a VVIP lounge on the ground level, VIP and CIP lounges on the first and second floors, and high-end administrative offices on the top floor. The terminal will offer dining services, prayer rooms, WiFi access, and shower facilities.