Maldives Immigration has increased its counters at Velana International Airport (VIA) to prepare for the peak season of tourist visits from December to February.
Speaking at a press conference, the Spokesperson at the President’s Office Miuvaan Mohamed said VIA is being prepared for the peak season in order to ease the convenience of tourists. He detailed that the main airport consisted of 11 departure counters and that seven more counters have been added, while the airport also consists of 14 arrival counters and 80 tourist counters. He added that the layout of the counters has also been changed. He further said six more screening machines are being added and the arrival baggage belt will be extended.
Furthermore, Maldives Airports Company (MACL) has opened a new runway and seaplane terminal at VIA, which is expected to speed up operations. As such, the airport throughput capacity will increase from eight to two aircraft per hour and the distance between the landing of two aircraft will be reduced to three minutes from 10 minutes. The runway will also be cleared within a maximum of one minute and the newly opened Noovilu Seaplane Terminal brings seaplane services under one roof which provides more space for MACL operations at the airport.
