Velana International Airport Preparing to Open

Saturday 9th of May 2020

Velana International Airport Preparing to Open

Velana International Airport, the main airport of the Maldives, has introduced various social distancing measures as the Indian Ocean island nation commences preparations to reopen its borders to tourists in the third quarter of the year.

Blue markers, spaced three feet apart, are in place in front of ticketing and check-in counters, and at the pre-flight inspection zone in the international terminal, as well as in front of the check-in counters in the domestic terminal at the Velana International Airport (VIA). This prevents crowding and chances of spread. Further, glass separators of four feet have also been installed in between all check-in counters.

On top of that, social distancing measures are completed by added hygiene and safety measures, including daily disinfection of all seats, desks, lounge areas, ticketing and check-in counters, and flooring and airport tarmac area.

The best-case scenario presented by the country sees that the Maldives reopen borders by May, but the most likely scenario projects that the borders reopen in July and tourism would restart in October. The Maldives is also expected to be one of the destinations that will be amongst the first to recover tourism.