Maldives Airports Company Limited’s (MACL) Velana International Airport (VIA) will stage a full-scale emergency exercise (AFEX) on 8 September 2025, in the country’s largest aviation safety drill to date. The initiative aims to test and validate VIA’s emergency response systems in strict compliance with Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements.
The AFEX drill — a mandatory ICAO activity — will simulate real-world crisis scenarios to assess the airport’s readiness across multiple operational areas. Objectives include evaluating comprehensive emergency protocols, verifying participating airlines’ crisis management plans, and testing integrated coordination among all responding agencies.
Building on the success of MACL’s last AFEX in 2022, which mobilised over 400 participants from 30 organisations, the 2025 edition will expand in scope and complexity. This year’s drill will bring together:
- All VIA operational departments and on-site emergency services
- National and airport-based medical response teams
- Airlines, ground handling operators, and other aviation service providers
- Regulatory authorities and specialised emergency response organisations
As the most extensive aviation emergency preparedness initiative in the Maldives, the exercise reinforces MACL’s commitment to upholding the highest global safety standards. By coordinating with multiple operational and regulatory stakeholders, the airport aims to ensure swift, unified, and effective responses to any crisis — from aircraft incidents to mass passenger evacuations.
MACL stated that this year’s AFEX will not only ensure continued compliance with international aviation safety protocols but also bolster public confidence in VIA’s ability to safeguard passengers, staff, and critical infrastructure under any circumstance.
With this proactive approach, MACL’s Velana International Airport continues to position itself as a world-class aviation hub in the Indian Ocean, delivering operational excellence and passenger safety in line with the best global practices.
