Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has tested the first live flight operation at new south west apron in Velana International Airport (VIA).
MACL said the test operation was a success and revealed an aircraft from the national airline, Maldivian, was used as a test flight. As part of the first live flight operation, MACL also test the ground handling equipment of the apron to ensure it fits the safety requirements of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). MACL is now waiting for the final certification from Maldives Civil Aviation and Directorate of Aviation Security Administration.
The newly-developed apron includes a pavement and a taxi lane and can cater to 5 Code-E aircraft and 7 Code-C aircraft at any given time. The 70,000 square metre apron is developed in 3 phases with the first phase now complete.
MACL launched the project in January 2018. The project was contracted to China-based Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), the same company that constructed the new Code-F runway at VIA.
VIA is undergoing an expansion project worth 1 billion US dollars.