Public vehicles restricted at airport for 5 hours during new terminal opening

Public vehicles will not be permitted to enter Velana International Airport (VIA) for about five hours on Saturday night due to the opening ceremony of the airport’s new terminal.

In a statement, Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) said changes would be made to airport traffic flow to ensure the safety and security of the event.

Access to the terminal area will be restricted from 7 pm to 11:30 pm.

- Only authorized vehicles will be allowed into the terminal area and airport road.

- Taxis and private vehicles must drop passengers at the airport police post or the east side parking area. Passengers can then take MACL operated vehicles to the terminal.

- Ferries and buses between Male', Hulhumale' and Hulhule' will operate as usual.

“We thank the public for their cooperation,” MACL said.

MACL Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Lamaan told Mihaaru News that airspace over the airport would be closed for 90 minutes during the ceremony.

Special arrangements will be in place for passengers travelling during the event, he added.

“Passengers departing during that time will be transferred from the police checkpoint to the terminal using our vehicles. Public vehicles will not be permitted during this period,” Lamaan said.

While the airspace will be closed briefly, flight check-in and other passenger services will continue uninterrupted, MACL said.