A special training program has been conducted for the Maldives Police Service ahead of the upcoming Airport Full-Scale Emergency Exercise (AFEX), scheduled to take place on September 8, 2025, at Velana International Airport (VIA).
The exercise, coordinated by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), is designed to test VIA’s emergency response framework, including the airport’s emergency plan, standard operating procedures (SOPs) of partner institutions, and the preparedness of airlines operating at the gateway hub.
Police Training for AFEX 2025
The training session, organized by MACL’s Airport Emergency Services (AES), focused on strengthening inter-agency coordination during crises. Police officers were briefed on the airport’s emergency protocols, the roles and responsibilities of different institutions, available resources activated in emergencies, and the Incident Command Structure established at VIA.
Led by Sergeant Adam Haleem at the Criminal Investigation Building, the program engaged 86 officers from multiple ranks and departments. A key focus was defining the police role in crowd control, security management, and inter-agency collaboration during potential aviation emergencies.
Regulatory Standards and Preparedness
AFEX is a mandatory compliance requirement under the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), ensuring that the Maldives maintains global aviation safety standards.
In the lead-up to the 2025 exercise, MACL has expanded its training efforts to include hospital staff in Malé, Ministry of Health officials, and the Maldives Red Crescent, in addition to airport-based personnel. These initiatives are aimed at ensuring seamless coordination among all stakeholders in the event of a real crisis.
Learning from Past Exercises
The last full-scale AFEX drill at VIA took place in 2022, involving more than 400 participants from 30 agencies, ranging from aviation operators to healthcare providers. The upcoming 2025 exercise is expected to build on that experience, further refining emergency readiness across critical agencies.
Strategic Importance for Maldives Aviation
With VIA serving as the primary international gateway to the Maldives, emergency preparedness is central to maintaining operational resilience in one of the world’s busiest luxury tourism destinations. AFEX not only strengthens institutional readiness but also reinforces public confidence in the nation’s aviation safety infrastructure.
