VIA emergency exercise: Expect Sinamalé Bridge airport lane closure from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday

Velana International Airport (VIA) will conduct its biennial Airport Full-Scale Emergency Exercise (AFEX) on Monday, September 8, 2025, in partnership with Qatar Airways. The exercise tests emergency plans and inter-agency coordination. The airport-bound lane of the Sinamalé Bridge will be closed from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. that day. MACL, the airport operator, said scheduled flights will continue with a brief runway closure. A total of 32 institutions and 391 volunteers are involved. The drill is mandated by ICAO and enforced by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority.

Velana International Airport (VIA) will conduct its biennial Airport Full-Scale Emergency Exercise (AFEX) on Monday, September 8, 2025, in partnership with Qatar Airways. The exercise tests emergency plans and inter-agency coordination. The airport-bound lane of the Sinamalé Bridge will be closed from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. that day. MACL, the airport operator, said scheduled flights will continue with a brief runway closure. A total of 32 institutions and 391 volunteers are involved. The drill is mandated by ICAO and enforced by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority.

Velana International Airport (VIA) will conduct its biennial Airport Full-Scale Emergency Exercise (AFEX) on Monday, September 8, 2025, in partnership with Qatar Airways. The exercise tests emergency plans and inter-agency coordination. The airport-bound lane of the Sinamalé Bridge will be closed from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. that day. MACL, the airport operator, said scheduled flights will continue with a brief runway closure. A total of 32 institutions and 391 volunteers are involved. The drill is mandated by ICAO and enforced by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of emergency preparedness / aviation.