An island has not yet been designated for relocating all seaplane services currently provided at the Noovilu seaplane terminal as part of a 20-year masterplan for the Velana International Airport (VIA) and special economic zones (SEZ), the Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL).
At a ceremony held on Thursday to launch the third phase of developing VIA, the government announced that the terminal and seaplane operations would be changed to the Furanafushi island near Hulhule' with the Sheraton Full Moon Resort and Spa.
However, MACL Corporate Communications Manager Shamman Shakir told Adhadhu that seaplane operations and not the terminal would be relocated. A specific island for the relocation has not yet been determined, he said.
"A final decision has not been taken on where to change seaplane operations. Seaplane operations will change under the concept announced by the President. Along with that, the current seaplane terminal will become a place that provides other services," Shamman said.
Speaking at Thursday night's ceremony, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said relocating the seaplane terminal was one of the most important components of the airport development.
"Therefore, if all of this can be done concurrently, these are things that are possible for us to achieve. So God willing, the necessary work needed to begin this most important work included in this plan will begin during this year. That is the necessary relocation of the seaplane terminal. When the way is paved for changing the seaplane terminal elsewhere, we will be able to carry out our work at a fast speed," the President said.
The government said on Thursday night that the Noovilu terminal would be changed under the project to the Furanafushi island with the "Sheraton Full Moon Resort and Spa." The seaplane terminal on the island is to be developed with three water runways and the capacity for five seaplane operators.
The Noovilu terminal is the world's largest seaplane terminal with a size of 28,000 square meters and an MR0 facility of 8,836 meters.
The seaplane terminal also has a 100-meter VVIP section and 42 lounges, of which 40 are leased to resorts. The other lounges are operated by MACL as the 235-seat "Vilu" business lounge and 315-seat "Neeru" lounge.
The cost of the Noovilu seaplane terminal project was USD 55 million. In 2022, the design of the seaplane terminal won an award for Global Best Practices in Engineering.
