Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has successfully installed a dedicated water pipeline linking the island of Hulhulé to its forthcoming New Passenger Terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA). Spanning roughly 1,800 metres over land and extending 635 metres beneath the lagoon, the system ensures a stable supply of potable water for the terminal’s operations.
Our CEO & MD, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, inaugurated the new water pipeline to the New Passenger Terminal today. Spanning approximately 1,800 meters over land and 635 meters across the lagoon, the pipeline marks a key step in ensuring a reliable drinking water supply for the… pic.twitter.com/ayw4t2q092
— Maldives Airports Company Ltd (@MACLmedia) June 22, 2025
The project was inaugurated today by MACL’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, in a ceremony attended by senior executives and technical staff . In his remarks, Shareef acknowledged the team’s commitment to completing this essential infrastructure component during the heightened preparations for the terminal’s launch.
Scheduled to partially open on July 26—Maldives’ Independence Day—and fully operational by September, the new 78,000-square-metre facility is designed to increase VIA’s annual passenger capacity from 1.5 million to an estimated 7 million, alleviating current airport congestion. Equipped with modern amenities including aerobridges, automated baggage systems, and expanded immigration counters, the terminal is a major upgrade to support the government’s target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals in 2025.
Reliable water infrastructure is critical not only for everyday passenger services—such as restrooms, food outlets, and sanitation—but also for the terminal’s long-term operational efficiency. The new pipeline directly supports MACL’s broader strategy of preparing VIA for a growing influx of international travellers while driving tourism-led economic growth.
MACL initiated the official countdown to the terminal opening in late June, positioning the event as a national milestone expected to strengthen the Maldives’ tourism infrastructure. As final commissioning continues, airlines will gradually migrate operations to the new terminal, with national carrier Maldivian set to take the lead.
The completion of the water pipeline represents a vital piece of the terminal’s operational readiness puzzle. With essential utilities in place, MACL is edging closer to launching a facility that blends increased capacity with contemporary passenger services—key components for sustaining the Maldives’ place as a top tourism destination.
