The new runway at Velana International Airport will be operational in October, the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said.
The new runway at Velana International Airport was completed and test flights were launched in 2018. Despite the test flight, it has not been in use for aircraft landing. However, the runway has been in use as a taxiway.
Regarding the preparations for the upcoming tourist season, MACL said testing phases are underway to open the new runway. The runway will be opened in October, said MACL.
MACL said the new runway significantly reduces the time taken for flights to land and the taxiway at the airport. The time will be reduced from 15 minutes to 3 minutes.
The runway was built by China's Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) with a $373 million loan from China's Exim Bank. The runway is 3,400 meters long and 60 meters wide. The new runway is designed to accommodate the largest aircraft.
The new runway at Velana International Airport was completed and test flights were launched in 2018. Despite the test flight, it has not been in use for aircraft landing. However, the runway has been in use as a taxiway.
Regarding the preparations for the upcoming tourist season, MACL said testing phases are underway to open the new runway. The runway will be opened in October, said MACL.
MACL said the new runway significantly reduces the time taken for flights to land and the taxiway at the airport. The time will be reduced from 15 minutes to 3 minutes.
The runway was built by China's Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) with a $373 million loan from China's Exim Bank. The runway is 3,400 meters long and 60 meters wide. The new runway is designed to accommodate the largest aircraft.
