The Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, has lauded President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s leadership and commitment in transforming the long-stalled Velana International Airport (VIA) terminal project into a national success story. Speaking at the official inauguration ceremony held Saturday evening, Shareef credited the president’s hands-on approach for fast-tracking a development that had languished in partial completion for nearly a decade.
“When I assumed leadership at MACL in 2023, the terminal was just a shell — unfinished, without electricity or sewerage infrastructure,” Shareef recalled. “Only 30 percent of the project had been completed over nine years. Yet, under President Muizzu’s guidance, we were able to finish the remaining 70 percent in just 18 months.”
The MACL chief described the challenges as immense, noting that even the airport’s 12-megawatt power grid had to be constructed manually by MACL personnel due to delays in securing foreign financing. “Despite the obstacles, a capable leader stepped forward — one with vision and the quiet determination to see it through,” he said.
From Vision to Reality: A Leader’s Commitment
Shareef praised President Muizzu’s long-standing connection to the project, highlighting that the president had envisioned the expansion nearly a decade ago during his tenure as a cabinet minister. “This architectural marvel had remained in limbo for 10 years. But this visionary leader made it his mission to complete it. In just a year and a half, he’s changed the narrative and unlocked its vast economic potential,” Shareef said.
He also expressed appreciation for the dedication of MACL’s team, whose tireless efforts made the early completion possible. The new terminal, he said, stands as a testament to Maldivian expertise, resolve, and unity of purpose.
A New Era for Maldivian Aviation and Tourism
The state-of-the-art international terminal is designed to handle seven million passengers annually, a significant upgrade that aligns with the Maldives’ ambitions to boost tourism and become a regional travel hub. Government officials believe the expanded capacity will attract new airline partnerships, increase flight frequencies, and enhance the country’s global connectivity.
The upgraded facility is expected to have a transformative impact on the tourism sector, the cornerstone of the Maldivian economy. With increased traffic flow and improved infrastructure, the terminal is positioned to meet future demand while providing a modern, efficient travel experience for international visitors.
As the curtains lifted on the new terminal, the inauguration not only marked a milestone in infrastructure development but also symbolised the administration’s commitment to timely delivery of key national projects. The event was a moment of pride for the Maldives — celebrating not only the completion of a major project but the promise of progress it represents.
