Construction of a new Fire and Rescue Service jetty at Velana International Airport (VIA) is advancing, with several major components of the project now completed, Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) has said.
The facility is being developed to improve the airport’s marine emergency response capability by providing better infrastructure for the deployment and operation of rescue launches and other marine vessels.
According to MTCC, concrete work for the jetty’s winch foundation has been completed, along with paving of the rescue service area and reinforced concrete works.
Fabrication of grates is now underway, while construction and roofing work on the facility continues.
A major component of the project is a roof truss system designed to provide shelter for the area used to berth Fire and Rescue Service launches and marine craft.
The development will also introduce purpose-built docks designed to allow emergency personnel and rescue vessels to be deployed quickly when responding to incidents.
Electrical and plumbing works, together with other utility infrastructure required for the facility, are also included in the project.
MTCC said the upgraded jetty is expected to allow VIA’s marine safety personnel to respond more effectively during emergencies, including during difficult weather conditions.
Marine response capability is particularly important at Velana International Airport because of its island setting and the extensive marine activity surrounding the airport.
VIA is located on Hulhulé and is surrounded by water, while its operations also include the nearby Noovilu Seaplane Terminal and harbour facilities used by vessels operating around the airport.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), the state-owned operator of VIA, maintains Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting services as part of the airport’s emergency operations.
Maldives aviation regulations require airports handling scheduled or non-scheduled passenger aircraft to maintain Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, with individual airports categorised according to the level of emergency response capability they provide.
Search and rescue operations within the Maldives are also coordinated between different agencies. The country’s Aeronautical Information Publication states that search and rescue services are provided by the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard in collaboration with air traffic services, with dedicated maritime and aeronautical rescue coordination arrangements in place.
The new jetty comes as infrastructure at VIA continues to expand alongside growth in passenger traffic and airport operations.
The airport has undergone major development in recent years, including the opening of the new international passenger terminal in 2025, alongside investments in runway, fuel, cargo and seaplane infrastructure.
MACL currently operates passenger terminals, cargo facilities, harbour services and the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal in addition to its wider aviation operations at VIA.
MTCC, meanwhile, remains one of the country’s largest state-owned infrastructure contractors and is involved in projects ranging from harbour and jetty construction to road development, land reclamation and coastal protection.
The company said the Fire and Rescue Service jetty is intended to provide a more reliable operating base for VIA’s marine emergency response teams and reduce obstacles to launching rescue craft when rapid deployment is required.
