Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) has successfully completed a final round of testing on check-in systems at Velana International Airport’s (VIA) new passenger terminal as part of the Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process ahead of the terminal’s scheduled opening on 26 July.
The trials assessed the readiness of the national carrier Maldivian’s check-in systems and boarding pass printing, along with integration into the terminal’s broader IT infrastructure and passenger processing systems. The exercise also tested staff training and operational procedures ahead of full-scale operations.
MACL CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed personally oversaw the trials and acted as the first test passenger, completing the full check-in process to verify system performance and workflow efficiency.
Following the trials, Shareef expressed confidence in the terminal’s operational readiness and commended the staff for their preparation efforts.
“I can confirm with certainty that this process has been initiated and is fully underway,” Shareef said in a post-trial interview. “We are moving forward at full speed toward bringing aircraft operations and officially opening this facility. Our staff are working with tremendous enthusiasm and exceptional national spirit.”
The new terminal is due to open on the same day the Maldives marks the 60th anniversary of its independence.
The US$450 million terminal, funded by the Saudi Fund for Development and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, is designed to handle up to 7.5 million passengers annually. It is expected to fully replace the existing terminal within three months of opening.