Newest Seaplane Hanger in Use!

Wednesday 23rd of February 2022

The hanger that was developed in the new seaplane terminal at the Maldives' main gateway, Velana International Airport (VIA), is now in use.

The national international airport operator, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said that seaplane maintenance work is currently ongoing in the hanger. An official from the company also mentioned that the hanger would greatly improve the airport's efficiency. It was developed after Hulhule' lagoon was dredged to develop the seaplane dock and hanger over a large area of 14,000 square meters.

The hanger is being utilized for the repair and maintenance of the fleet of over 60 seaplanes that belong to the world's largest seaplane operator, Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).

Despite the fact that the hanger is completed and is being utilized, the terminal is scheduled to open on the 1st of April this year. This is because the private companies that are offering their services in the terminal still aren't done with their lounges.

Lounge services at the new seaplane terminal:

• TMA: 1 lounge

• Manta Air: 5 lounges

• Exclusive Resort Lounges: 45

• MACL Business Lounge: 1

• MACL Common Lounge: 2

• Staff Canteen: 1

• Boarding gates: 32

This project was a mega-scale one that is worth USD 40 million. A high investment. The dredging and reclamation of over 3.2 hectares to develop the seaplane terminal was completed in June 2015 and the foundation for the terminal was laid on January 29, 2018.