VIA Expansion was Key to National Economic Growth, Says MACL MD

The expansion of Velana International Airport is a central component of the Maldives’ economic development, according to the Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Shareef.

Addressing the Velana Awards ceremony, Shareef highlighted the close connection between the airport’s growth and national prosperity, noting that partnerships with industry stakeholders are vital to institutional success. The awards, he said, were created to formally acknowledge the contributions of these partners.

Operational efficiency remains a core measure of achievement in the aviation sector, with the introduction of new services and additional flight routes cited as tangible indicators of progress. These expansions are seen as opening new opportunities for the country’s tourism sector and its citizens.

Shareef emphasised the importance of collaboration in achieving the government’s annual aviation targets, stressing that sustained effort and strong professional partnerships are necessary to meet these benchmarks. The airport’s development, he said, represents a collective endeavour, where increased cooperation supports institutional growth and contributes to broader economic prosperity.

Recent infrastructure upgrades, including a newly developed passenger terminal, have already begun to produce positive results. MACL remains committed to supporting the government’s wider vision, ensuring that advancements in aviation and tourism continue to progress together under state guidance.