A new chapter in international connectivity is unfolding at Velana International Airport (VIA) with the official commencement of operations at its newly developed Terminal 1. The terminal is now actively serving a growing roster of global airlines, reflecting the Maldives’ rising status as a world-class destination for luxury travel, tourism, and aviation services.
Terminal 1 recently began hosting Saudi Arabia’s national airline, Saudia, with a dedicated launch ceremony attended by key dignitaries, including Mohamed Nashath Rasheed, State Minister of Tourism and Environment. Also present were Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahya Hassan Al-Gahthani; Isam Al-Habsi, Saudia’s Maldives Manager covering India and Sri Lanka; and Saad Al-Salih, responsible for Saudia’s operations in the Maldives and Pakistan. Officials from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) also took part in the event, highlighting the collaborative effort in strengthening international flight operations.
Saudia inaugurated its service at Terminal 1 with flight SV838 bound for Riyadh, carrying 127 passengers. Travelers were welcomed with traditional Maldivian hospitality and 57 passengers received commemorative gifts. Saudia, which first launched flights to the Maldives on 30 March 2016, is the first Saudi carrier to operate from the new terminal.
The introduction of Azerbaijan Airlines to Terminal 1 further elevated the terminal’s operational capacity. The airline, which began servicing the Maldives on 6 November 2024, celebrated its terminal debut with a cultural ceremony attended by notable figures such as STO CEO Shimad Ibrahim, British Deputy High Commissioner Mohammed Toafiq Wahab, and Avia Maldives’ Ahmed Arshad. The first Azerbaijan Airlines flight, J2301, brought in 156 passengers, while 55 passengers received special tokens of welcome.
British carriers have also joined the Terminal 1 expansion. Virgin Atlantic, a major British airline, commenced services with a formal inauguration attended by Ibrahim Thoha, Managing Director of Maldives National Air Traffic Service (MNATS), and Virgin Atlantic’s Airport Manager Asim Shaih. The airline’s debut flight brought 258 passengers who were received with traditional music and dance, reinforcing the Maldives’ commitment to cultural hospitality. Virgin Atlantic now becomes the second UK airline to operate from the terminal, joining British Airways, which started operations from Terminal 1 on 23 October 2025. British Airways, which has flown to the Maldives since 26 October 2009, was the first European airline welcomed into the newly constructed terminal. On its inaugural Terminal 1 flight, 126 departing passengers received commemorative gifts, while 122 arriving passengers enjoyed a traditional Maldivian welcome.
The launch events for each airline were meticulously organized, offering a warm and culturally rich welcome that exemplifies the Maldives’ renowned hospitality. With the new terminal already serving 16 international airlines including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Saudia, and Azerbaijan Airlines the development reflects MACL’s commitment to elevating the airport’s service standards and enhancing the overall travel experience for international visitors.
Terminal 1, inaugurated on 26 July 2025, is part of the broader infrastructure upgrades at Velana International Airport aimed at increasing capacity and service quality. With state-of-the-art facilities, streamlined passenger services, and a focus on international connectivity, the terminal plays a vital role in positioning the Maldives as a preferred global tourism and transit destination.
As air traffic to the Maldives continues to grow, the expansion of services at Terminal 1 underscores the nation’s strategic emphasis on enhancing accessibility and passenger satisfaction. With every new airline welcomed, the Maldives not only opens more doors to its pristine shores but also strengthens its standing in the international travel industry as a seamless and welcoming gateway to paradise.
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