China's Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) has been awarded the contract to repair the old runway of Velana International Airport (VIA).

Maldives Airports Company (MACL) Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef and BUCG General Manager Luo Wei signed the agreement on Tuesday.

MACL said the project was included in President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's 20-year masterplan.

Work under the project will start in November and will be completed by 2027, MACL said.

The 3,200-metre runway was discontinued when the new runway was completed and became operational in 2022.