Nasheed: New terminal’s ‘beauty’ lies in its potential to save Maldives’ economy

Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed said on Wednesday that the beauty of the new international passenger terminal set to open at the Velana International Airport lies not in its appearance, but in its potential to save the Maldives as it faces serious risks of defaulting on its staggering debt.

The project to develop the new passenger terminal at VIA was launched during former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration. His successor, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continued the project and also revised the design. The incumbent administration also continued the project and is set to open the terminal on July 26.

As opening day nears, there has been an increased focus the design of the terminal as well as debates on who actually deserves credit for the landmark project.

In a post on X on Wednesday morning, Nasheed said that it is narrowminded to think that concrete, glass and plastic mean development.

He said that the new terminal at the VIA is only as appealing “as how a knife is only good if its sharp.”

Nasheed said that the true beauty of the terminal lies not in its outward appearance, but in its potential to turn around Maldives’ dire economic situation.

Concrete, bihloori adhi plastic ge avaigai jehi, eie tharahgee kamah dhekenee nama eie hani visnumeh. Velaanaa airport ge aa terminal ves reethi vaanee, valhi reethee thoonu kamah bunaa misaaluga. Aa airport ge sababun Touristun annavaru ithuruvaa minvaraai igthisoadhu kuri araa,…

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) July 16, 2025

“The Velana airport will be very beautiful indeed if it boosts tourist arrivals, boosts the economy, boosts state revenue, and helps pave a path for salvation from this debt trap,” he said.

The new passenger terminal at VIA is large enough to cater to up to 7.5 million passengers annually, and is expected to significantly boost tourism.

The project has been described as key to efforts to boost the Maldivian economy as the country faces staggering debt.