The new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) will be equipped with state-of-the-art e-gates by 1 January 2026, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced.
In a post shared on social media, the President revealed that the installation of e-gates is underway at the new terminal, and will help eliminate long queues at border control counters.
The President said once a passport is scanned at the e-gates, subsequent border crossings will be authorised through facial recognition technology. By 1 January 2026, a total of 20 gates will be installed at each terminal, split equally between arrivals and departures.
The President also said similar e-gates will be installed at other international airports in the Maldives next year.
The new VIA terminal was inaugurated by President Dr Muizzu on 26 July this year. Following its opening, the President described VIA as the most important pillar of the Maldives’ economic independence.
The new terminal features 47 check-in counters in the departure hall and six self-service check-in kiosks. This is a brand new service introduced to the Maldives for the first time. In addition, 24 seaplane check-in counters have been established at the new terminal.