Managing Director and CEO of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Gordon Andrew Stewart, on Friday, assured that once Velana International Airport’s new terminal was unveiled, tourists services would be available in similar fashion to resorts.
Speaking to press, Stewart shared his confidence that the airport would deliver quality hospitality, with services worthy of 5-star, or even 7-star, recognition.
“As yet, MACL has a lot of work that must be done in order to realize these goals. Once that’s done, the new terminal will be able to deliver services comparable to that of resorts” said Stewart.
“I hope we are able to achieve that”.
The terminal, stretching over 78,000 square feet, is said to be outfitted with state of the art facilities. It will feature 28 arrival counters, 50 departure counters, 10 screening machines and 10 gates.
Scheduled for opening in 2022, arrival numbers in Maldives particularly during the festive season, have demonstrated a dire need for more up-to-date facilities that possess the capacity to easily accommodate and serve the volume of incoming tourists and travellers.
The project is largely backed by USD 357 million, or approximately MVR 5.5 billion, received from the Saudi Fund for Development, in addition to smaller donations from other countries.
Although the terminal’s construction began in 2018, significant delays were brought upon by the shift in state leadership, and subsequent need to reevaluate agreements. Hence, an agreement was signed in 2019, after which the company assures work has been progressing at a steady pace.
Gordon Stewart took over MACL's CEO mantle in July 2020, over a year after the resignation of his predecessor Adil Moosa. During the hiatus, Moosa Solih, who served the company in various leading capacities for 39 years, was appointed acting MD.
Steward, a British national, brings to MACL's table over 30 years of expertise across the global aviation industry, including management and board experience.
Sign In