MACL: Seaplane terminal has yet to be handed over

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) states the seaplane terminal developed by China’s Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) at the Velana International Airport has yet to be handed over to the company.

MACL’s spokesperson Hassan Rasheed told Sun on Thursday afternoon that media reports on the seaplane terminal are false, and that the seaplane terminal has yet to be handed over to MACL.

“It has yet to be handed over. I haven’t received any such information,” he said.

MACL’s denial comes after Chinese state media Xinhua reported last Wednesday that the seaplane terminal has been handed over to Maldivian authorities.

Construction of the seaplane terminal began on January 29, 2020. Though MACL previously stated the terminal will be complete in May, the project has been delayed for various reasons.

BUCG was contacted to build the seaplane terminal for MVR 40 million.