Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) unofficially opened the east apron of Velana International Airport (VIA) for jet parking on Saturday night.
According to the company which operates the main airport of Maldives, VIA's east apron, which measures 50,000 square metres, was opened to accommodate the increasing number of jets arriving in Maldives for the peak tourist season.
The remote apron lies adjacent to VIA's new runway, which will be in operation mid-2020. According to MACL, the runway will be opened after the Transmaldivian Airways (TMA) seaplane terminal, which is situated by the runway, is transferred to its new location.
TMA's new seaplane terminal, currently being developed for USD 55 million by MACL, is set to be unveiled in May 2020.
VIA sees a major upsurge in air traffic ahead of the Christmas and New Year's holidays in December, when a number of international tycoons and celebrities arrive in Maldives via private jet every year.
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