The Maldives government has decided to rebrand the name of its main airport from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA) to Velaanaa International Airport.
According to the President's Office, this decision was taken in a Cabinet meeting held Monday and the name will come into effect on January 1, 2017.
This development focusses on the transformation of the airport in line with the national administration's economic vision and developments that have been brought about.
Noting the vital role played by Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyrikilegefaanu in realizing the airport, the new brand name remains a representation of the former President and Prime Minister, who had been of House Velaanaa.
The initial name of “Hulhule Airport” was first changed to “Male International Airport” in the early 1980’s by Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. Later on July 26, 2011 the name was changed to Ibrahim Nasir International Airport by Former President Mohamed Nasheed.
Hence this becomes the third official change to the name of the Maldives' main international airport.
The statement issued also underlined the agreement made with GMR Group of India. The previous government of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) under former president Mohamed Nasheed’s reign had handed over Ibrahim Nasir International Airport (INIA)’s operations to GMR Group for 25 years. Two years later, the government of former president Mohamed Waheed who rose to office following Nasheed’s fall from power, had taken back the airport from GMR as the agreement was debilitating to both MACL and Maldivian citizens.
Currently, the Maldives government is undertaking a huge project to develop and expand the airport which includes the establishment of a new runway and terminal.
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