Velana International Airport experiences flight delays after runway closure

Numerous international and domestic flights experienced delays and some were redirected tonight after the runway at Velana International Airport (VIA) was shut down during the inauguration of the airport's new terminal.

VIA’s flight information service reports that planes from Singapore Airlines, Emirates, IndiGo, and Batik Air were included among those impacted.

A significant amount of domestic flights were likewise delayed or redirected.

The runway became operational again at 11:35 pm, with delays of approximately one hour affecting Emirates and Singapore Airlines flights. A Batik Air plane traveling from Malaysia was redirected, while two local flights were altered. A flight from Cochin operated by IndiGo and five domestic flights run by Maldivian experienced delays as well.

Sources indicated that the runway was shut down for a prolonged duration after drones employed during the opening ceremony crashed onto the runway, necessitating time for the safe removal of the wreckage.

Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL) announced that the runway has reopened and delayed flights are now arriving one after the other.

The fireworks display and drone show, taking place from 9:20 pm to 9:50 pm, were part of festivities celebrating the inauguration of the new terminal.

At first, the terminal will cater to travelers flying with the national airline, Maldivian.