Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has officially begun the reconstruction of Taxiway Charlie at Velana International Airport (VIA), marking the start of a significant infrastructure project aimed at enhancing aircraft turnaround times and improving operational efficiency at the country’s main gateway.
The new taxiway, once completed, will stretch 3,200 metres and is expected to streamline ground operations while also functioning as an emergency runway. The project is being undertaken in partnership with the Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), a long-standing contractor with a decade-long history of involvement in airport development in the Maldives.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the commencement of the project. It was attended by Chargé d’Affaires He Fen from the Embassy of China in the Maldives, along with senior leadership from MACL and BUCG. The event also brought together key stakeholders involved in the airport’s ongoing expansion.
MACL’s CEO and Managing Director, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, acknowledged the support of the Maldivian government and reflected on the importance of Taxiway Charlie to the airport’s history. Originally developed in 1981 to accommodate wide-body aircraft, the taxiway has served a variety of roles — including acting as a temporary runway in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami.
BUCG Chairman Li Weidong emphasised the strength of the partnership between the two organisations and noted that the company has deployed a team of senior engineers for the project. BUCG has been behind several major projects at VIA, including the Code-F runway, Noovilu Seaplane Terminal, the VIP/CIP terminal, cargo terminal, and fuel farm.
The Taxiway Charlie rebuild marks a key milestone in the airport’s long-term development strategy, reinforcing MACL’s commitment to modernising and future-proofing the country’s aviation infrastructure.
