New Terminal at Velana International Airport Begins Trial Operations, Constructed with Chinese Participation

At 8:30 p.m. local time on July 26, an inauguration ceremony was held for the new terminal at Velana International Airport in the Maldives, officially launching its trial operations.

New Terminal Overlooks the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge

Jointly constructed with participation from China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the expansion project of the terminal at Velana International Airport in Malé is located adjacent to the already operational China-Maldives Friendship Bridge. The new terminal is equipped with 47 check-in counters, 6 self-service kiosks, 20 departure immigration counters, 6 boarding gates, and 12 jet bridges. It is designed to accommodate and serve over 7 million passengers annually. The terminal building stretches approximately 520 meters in length and 86 meters in width, covering a land area of about 37,000 square meters and offering a total built-up area of 80,000 square meters.

Construction began in August 2019, with the main structure topped out in January 2021. Interior works commenced in August 2020 and were completed in July 2025. The new terminal replaces the original facility opened in 1981, representing a major upgrade of the Maldives’ airport infrastructure.

Inside the New Terminal of Velana International Airport

Now in trial operation, the new terminal—with its expansive scale and state-of-the-art facilities—will significantly boost the Maldives' air transportation capacity. It will accommodate more passengers and flight operations, attract more international airlines to open routes to the Maldives, and enhance the country’s global connectivity. This will create new opportunities for local tourism and socio-economic development. As a flagship project under the China-Maldives Belt and Road cooperation, it will also further strengthen the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries.