
The Maldives celebrated the inauguration of the revamped Velana International Airport, a project supported by Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and regional allies. With enhanced capacity serving over 7 million passengers annually, this upgrade, coupled with the opening of Maafaru International Airport, greatly improves the nation’s connectivity and tourism growth. The investment totaling AED 330.5 million was a collaborative effort by ADFD, The Saudi Fund for Development, The Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, and The OPEC Fund for International Development, showcasing a commitment to sustainable growth. The enhanced airport features a western passenger terminal expansion, 26 passenger boarding bridges, and a cutting-edge international terminal, aimed at establishing it as a significant hub in the Indian Ocean’s aviation and hospitality sectors.