President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has announced that state-of-the-art e-gates will be installed and operational at Velana International Airport’s new terminal before January 1, 2026. In a social media post announcing the commencement of the installation work, the President stated that to end the long queues and waiting times for Maldivians and tourists at border control counters, e-gates featuring the latest technology are being installed in the airport’s new terminal.
The President explained that with these gates, after scanning the passport once, subsequent border crossings will be authorized through facial recognition. He stated that a total of 20 gates, with 10 gates in each of the arrival and departure areas of VIA’s new terminal, will be installed and operational before January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the President added that similar e-gates will be installed and become operational in other international airports across the Maldives in 2026.
The new terminal at Velana International Airport, equipped with many modern services, was inaugurated by the President on July 26 of this year. After opening the national airport’s new terminal, the President described Velana International Airport as the most crucial pillar of the Maldives’ economic independence. The departure hall of VIA’s new terminal features 47 check-in counters. Additionally, six self-service check-in kiosks have been installed, a service introduced to the Maldives for the first time with the new terminal. The new terminal also includes 24 dedicated check-in counters for seaplanes.
