Domestic flight operations at Velana International Airport have officially been relocated to the airport’s former international terminal, marking an important operational development aimed at improving passenger convenience and supporting the continued growth of inter-island connectivity in the Maldives. The transition took place on Tuesday morning during an official ceremony, following the completion of renovation works that transformed the previous international passenger facility into a dedicated space for domestic travel services.
The relocation follows the opening of Velana International Airport’s new international terminal in July last year, which enabled airport authorities to repurpose the earlier terminal infrastructure to better accommodate increasing domestic travel demand. With tourism and local travel steadily expanding across the archipelago, passenger volumes on domestic routes have grown significantly, particularly during peak travel seasons when travelers connect from international arrivals to resorts and inhabited islands throughout the country. The upgraded facility has been prepared to manage these growing operational requirements while offering improved passenger flow and enhanced service efficiency.
All domestic flight services are now operating from the former international terminal, with Maldivian, Manta Air, and Villa Air conducting their scheduled operations from the newly designated domestic facility effective immediately. The consolidation of domestic services into a larger and more modernized terminal environment is expected to streamline airline operations, reduce transfer times for passengers, and provide a more comfortable travel experience for both residents and international visitors connecting to destinations across the Maldives.
Airport authorities noted that the relocation was primarily undertaken to address congestion previously experienced at the existing domestic terminal, especially during busy operating hours when simultaneous departures and arrivals created capacity challenges. By utilizing the spacious layout and upgraded infrastructure of the former international terminal, the airport is now better positioned to handle higher passenger throughput while maintaining efficient security, check-in, and boarding processes.
The development supports the Maldives’ broader tourism ecosystem, where seamless domestic connectivity plays a vital role in linking global travelers to resort islands located across distant atolls. Resorts throughout the country rely heavily on reliable domestic air transfers to ensure smooth guest arrivals and departures, making efficient airport operations an essential component of the visitor experience. The enhanced terminal environment is expected to strengthen first impressions for travelers continuing their journeys to luxury resorts, boutique island retreats, and regional tourism hubs, reinforcing the Maldives’ reputation for well-coordinated travel logistics and hospitality standards.
As international visitor numbers continue to rise and resort developments expand into new regions, improved domestic aviation infrastructure remains central to sustaining tourism growth while supporting local mobility. The relocation of domestic operations at Velana International Airport reflects ongoing efforts to modernize aviation services, optimize infrastructure usage, and ensure that both travelers and airlines benefit from facilities designed to meet evolving operational demands in one of the world’s most geographically unique destinations.
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