Exactly 59 years ago on April 12, 1966, a Sri Lankan ACJR aircraft landed in Hulhulé airport. The person who disembarked from the plane was the then Prime Minister of Maldives Ibrahim Nasir. That fateful day marked the opening of Hulhulé Airport - what would later become the Velana International Airport (VIA) that Maldives has today.
Velana International Airport marked its 59th anniversary on Saturday, with celebrations also kicking off preparations for next year’s milestone 60th anniversary. Both MACL and VIA said this year’s anniversary set the stage for the grand celebration to come.
The 59th anniversary of the VIA began with a special flag hoisting ceremony. The ceremony was attended by MACL's management officials, other employees and stakeholders.
After the flag was hoisted, a 59-foot cake was cut, along with a friendship walk, to commemorate the day.
At the ceremony, MACL's Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef highlighted the government's, especially the current administration's, commitment to the development of the airport.
Noting that many development initiatives of the airport are already underway, Shareef said that MACL's staff would be the ones to operationalise those projects once contractors complete their tasks. MACL employees have always continued to provide valuable services for the country, he said.
Shareef went onto say that the years ahead would bring even more development to the airport, and stressed the importance of providing satisfactory services for stakeholders and passengers.
The biggest project currently underway at VIA is its new terminal, which would have the capacity to serve 7.5 million passengers annually when it is fully operational. With that, the airport will add about 1,800 employees and also be able to accommodate new airlines.
According to the airport's plans, the new passenger terminal will also have aero boarding bridges, state-of-the-art luggage transporting facilities, shops, catering and VIP lounges.
With the new terminal, MACL will become a fully modern and beautiful airport, they said.
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