Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef has said that one of the biggest contributors to the successful completion of the new passenger terminal at the Velana International Airport, which is set to open next month, is President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

In a video message via the company's social media accounts, Shareef said the final works are being done to open the terminal with the advice, guidance and assistance of the President.

"In fact, one of the biggest contributors to this success is our Honorable President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. We would like to thank him from the bottom of our hearts," Shareef said.

The new terminal is scheduled to open on Independence Day this year. Shareef said the terminal is being opened in accordance with international standards and the transfer of services to the terminal is being carried out with the assistance of a foreign company.

He added that there will be some difficulties in moving services from the existing terminal to the new terminal and that all stakeholders at the airport are preparing for the move.

Part of the new terminal is expected to open next month. The government expects to bring the entire terminal into operation by this year’s tourism high season. Shareef said the new terminal will boost the tourism industry.

The new passenger terminal is part of the Velana International Airport expansion project launched by former President Abdullah Yameen.

The completion of the ongoing expansion project, including the passenger terminal, will more than double the airport's capacity to serve 7.5 million passengers annually.

The new two-storey terminal will have 78,000 square meters of space. There will also be aero boarding bridges, state-of-the-art baggage handling systems, FNB outlets, lounges and other services.