Velana International Airport Set for Major Runway Renovation

China's Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) has secured a contract to renovate the old runway at Velana International Airport (VIA). This runway, originally the airport's first, is now functioning as a taxiway.

The official handover ceremony took place yesterday at VIA, with construction scheduled to start in November and expected to be completed by mid-2027. The project, named 'Taxiway Charlie Rebuild', will upgrade the 3,200-meter runway to modern standards, transforming it into a parallel taxiway.

Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), highlighted that the runway was built in 1976, making it the oldest infrastructure at the airport. In 2022, it was repurposed as a taxiway to minimize waiting times for landing aircraft.

Shareef expressed concerns about the runway's deteriorating condition, stating that failing to repair it could limit emergency landing options, potentially impacting the economy. The taxiway also serves as an emergency runway.

The current main runway, also constructed by BUCG with funding from China's EXIM Bank, measures 3,400 meters long and 60 meters wide, accommodating large aircraft like the A380. This major project has an estimated cost of USD 450 million, aiming to bolster the airport's operational capabilities.