All International Airports to Introduce E-Gates in 2026, Says President
People waiting at the Velana International Airport, in February 2024 | Photo: MV+
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu announced yesterday that all international airports in the Maldives will be equipped with E-Gates by 2026.
In a post on his official X account, the President highlighted ongoing efforts to install state-of-the-art E-Gates at the new terminal of Velana International Airport (VIA), aimed at reducing waiting times faced by travellers at border control counters.
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“Once your passport is scanned at these gates, it will be authorised next using facial recognition [system] when you are crossing the border. By January 1, 2026, 10 gates will be installed at each terminal, for both arrivals and departures,” he posted on X.
He added that the service would be extended to all international airports across the country in 2026. The E-Gates are expected to improve convenience for both Maldivian and international passengers by enabling passport scanning and facial recognition authorisation in a single streamlined process.
The new VIA terminal, which opened on 26 July 2025, is designed to serve 7 million passengers annually and has already introduced several modern services. The initiative forms part of the Maldives 2.0 policy, through which the Government is prioritising the digitisation of public services to create faster and more efficient experiences for travellers.
