Modern E-Gates Inaugurated at Velana International Airport’s New Terminal

State-of-the-art E-gates have been officially inaugurated at Velana International Airport (VIA), fulfilling a key pledge made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The inauguration ceremony, held at the airport, was led by Controller General of Immigration Ahmed Faseeh, with Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen and Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) CEO Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed in attendance. President Muizzu had announced the introduction of E-gates on November 19th, highlighting their role in reducing border control waiting times and modernizing the airport's technological capabilities. The new system allows passengers to scan their passports once, with facial recognition technology enabling swift border crossings. Currently, five E-gates are operational for both arrivals and departures, with plans to install a total of 20 gates across the new terminal. While the service is currently available for Maldivian travelers, the government aims to extend it to international passengers by the first quarter of 2026. This initiative marks a significant step toward enhancing travel efficiency and aligning VIA with global aviation standards.