The opening of a dedicated Calm Room at Velana International Airport (VIA) marks a significant step forward in creating a more inclusive travel experience for passengers, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed has said.
Speaking during the inauguration of the facility at VIA’s Terminal 1, Shareef described the initiative as an important milestone in the airport’s efforts to ensure all passengers receive services with dignity, equity and respect.
“This is a significant milestone in VIA’s journey toward inclusive service,” Shareef said, noting that accessibility and passenger wellbeing remain key priorities for MACL.
The Calm Room was introduced to provide a sensory-friendly environment for travelers who may require a quieter and more controlled space while navigating the airport. The facility is designed to support passengers with autism, sensory sensitivities, anxiety and other non-visible disabilities.
According to MACL, the room was developed under the company’s Boli initiative, which focuses on improving accessibility and inclusivity across airport services.
Shareef said the company’s objective is to ensure every traveler, regardless of their needs or circumstances, can access airport services comfortably and confidently.
The MACL chief also thanked Autism Care Maldives and the Maldives Autism Association for their technical guidance and support throughout the development of the project.
The opening of the Calm Room comes as VIA continues a broader transformation aimed at improving passenger services and enhancing accessibility. MACL has previously introduced a range of customer-focused initiatives as part of efforts to modernize the country’s main international gateway while preparing for increased passenger volumes through ongoing airport expansion projects.
The company has also revealed plans to extend similar sensory-friendly facilities to the new passenger terminal and the Seaplane Terminal in the future.
Airport operators around the world have increasingly introduced calm rooms and sensory spaces in recent years as awareness grows regarding the challenges faced by travelers with non-visible disabilities. Such facilities are designed to reduce stress and sensory overload, helping passengers enjoy a more comfortable airport experience.
MACL said the new facility reflects its continued commitment to building a more caring, accessible and passenger-friendly airport for all travelers passing through Velana International Airport.
