Velana International Airport (VIA) will carry out its biennial Airport Full-Scale Emergency Exercise (AFEX) on Monday, September 8, 2025, in collaboration with Qatar Airways. The drill aims to assess the airport’s emergency response framework, inter-agency procedures, and airline contingency plans.
According to Maldives Airports Company Ltd (MACL), which is organizing the exercise, regular flight schedules will continue as normal. A temporary runway closure will take place as part of the scenario, though it is not expected to cause service disruptions.
For road traffic management, the airport-bound lane of the Sinamalé Bridge will be closed from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. today. The Maldives Police Service will be in charge of overseeing vehicle flow during this period, and passengers as well as staff have been urged to allow extra travel time.
The AFEX exercise is required under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, which mandate a full-scale aerodrome emergency drill at least every two years. The Maldives Civil Aviation Authority ensures compliance, with smaller-scale interim exercises conducted to address any gaps. VIA last staged the full drill in 2022.
In preparation, MACL has conducted partner briefings and specialized training sessions including coordination workshops with the Maldives Police Service to strengthen command structures, communication, and crowd management in a simulated emergency.
This year’s drill will see participation from 32 institutions and 391 volunteers, focusing on real-time coordination between airport emergency teams, air traffic control, airlines, and first responders. The exercise is intended to test readiness at the country’s main international gateway while ensuring uninterrupted flight operations.
