The design of the new terminals of Maldives’ main airport is nearly complete, stated Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) on Thursday.
The project estimated to cost around USD 300 million was awarded last May to Saudi Arabia’s largest construction firm, Saudi Binladin Group, which is also creating the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA)’s new terminal design. The new state-of-the-art terminal is expected to cater for seven million passengers annually.
MACL’s Managing Director Adil Moosa told Mihaaru that a technical team comprising staff of MACL and Binladin Group are already at work in the airport island of Hulhule and that the majority of the design has been finalised.
“Though we cannot give a certain date, the designing process will be done before long,” said Adil.
In addition to the design, various tests are also being carried out in the land allocated for the new terminal including soil tests and assessment of other technical factors.
The new terminal is to be developed to the south of the current International Terminal. With the unveiling of the new terminal scheduled for 2019, the current International Terminal will be converted into a Domestic Terminal.
MACL had earlier stated that the new terminal will be thrice the size of the current terminal, featuring six aero bridges, state of the art baggage handling systems and more duty free shops.
INIA’s new terminal is part of the government’s USD 800 million (MVR 12.3 billion) project to develop and expand the airport. The project also features development of a new runway.
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