Tiny island building massive new £800m airport as tourist numbers set to explode

Posted by Admin April 21, 2024 Travel

Destinations in the Indian Ocean are becoming ever more popular with travellers seeking exotic locations and idyllic beaches. And one place in particular is expected to see a massive influx in tourists within the next six years.

Made up of 26 atolls and more than 1,000 islands, the Maldives are becoming a red hot destination for those searching for a taste of paradise.

And to help meet the demand authorities have decided to plough one billion US dollars (£803 million) in to a new passenger terminal at its international airport.

The Velena Airport is located on Hulhule Island in North Male Atoll, and currently has capacity to handle over three million passengers annually.

It serves as the main gateway into the Maldives islands for tourists and is at the moment the only airport offering international flights.

The new expansion is set to finished by next year, as passenger numbers are forecast to climb to 7.5 million by 2030. This means that tourists will soon outnumber locals by 14-to-one. The total number of islanders is just 523,787.

The expansion project includes the development of a 37,000m² fuel farm at the northwest side of the airport.

The fuel farm will have the capacity to hold 45 million litres of Jet A1 fuel, 100,000l of petrol and one million litres of diesel.

Velena International Airport began operations in October 1960 with the landing of a Royal New Zealand Air Force transport aircraft.

It welcomed the first commercial flight, operated by Air Ceylon, on its slotted steel runway in April 1962.

The airport underwent infrastructure improvements, including the construction of an asphalt runway in 1964. It was officially opened as the country’s international airport in November 1981.

The Maldives offer great scuba diving opportunities, with miles of coral reef home to thousands of species of marine life.

For those who like to explore local culture, then a visit to the Fish Market in Malé, it makes a great trip. The islands also have their fair share of architectural monuments. These include the C17th Old Friday Mosque.