The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced that the soon-to-open new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) will bring a significant transformation to baggage screening, enhancing both passenger convenience and security.

According to MACL, the new system is designed to resolve many of the current challenges faced by travelers.

The upgraded baggage handling process will be faster, more secure, and less labor-intensive featuring cutting-edge technology, including 3D screening machines, for the first time in the Maldives.

The state-of-the-art system will have the capacity to screen up to 1,200 bags per hour and 20 bags per minute.

Similar technologies are currently used at major international hubs such as Changi Airport in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia.

Currently, passengers must queue outside the terminal and scan their luggage before check-in a process that many have found burdensome and intrusive.

Privacy concerns have also been raised, as some travelers have had to open their luggage in public.

However, the new terminal eliminates these issues by integrating baggage scanning into the check-in process itself.

With 47 check-in counters and six self-check-in kiosks, the new terminal’s spacious layout is designed to reduce congestion and streamline passenger movement.

Three Stages of Baggage Screening at the New Terminal

Stage 1:

- Once checked in, baggage is first scanned by an automated system.

- Four advanced Explosive Detection System (EDS) machines with 3D screening capability will be used, the first of their kind in the country.

- Any flagged items are then forwarded to the next stage for further inspection.

Stage 2:

- Baggage flagged by the automated system is reviewed by officers from the Aviation Security Command (AVSECOM) and Maldives Customs Service.

- Screening is conducted through secure systems at 18 AVSECOM tables and 22 customs tables.

- If no suspicious items are found, the bag continues to its destination; otherwise, it is passed to the final stage.

Stage 3:

- This final level involves dual-view screening by AVSECOM officers, using IATA-standard machines.

- There will be six screening stations for this purpose.

- If prohibited items are suspected, the baggage is opened in the presence of its owner in a designated area, allowing the passenger to remove the item before reloading.

Enhanced System for Arriving Passengers’ Luggage

Currently, arriving passengers often face long waits at the four baggage belts in the terminal, especially during peak flight times.

This often results in overcrowding in the arrival hall.

To address this, the new terminal will feature six baggage belts and high-speed scanning systems, significantly cutting down on wait times.

The arrival area itself will also be more spacious, providing a more comfortable experience for passengers according to MACL.