Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has commenced operational flow familiarisation training for seaplane check-in counters at the newly inaugurated Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport, marking an important step towards fully integrating seaplane operations into the new passenger terminal. The training is designed to prepare the facility for seamless, full-scale seaplane services that are central to the Maldives’ tourism offering, particularly for international travellers connecting directly to premium resort destinations across the country’s island atolls.
According to MACL, the trial was conducted to assess and validate end-to-end passenger handling and operational workflows at the new terminal, with a focus on ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for travellers. The familiarisation exercise involved two key airline operators, Flyme and Maldivian, both of which participated in testing operational processes for seaplane passengers. By bringing airline teams into the live testing environment, MACL is working to fine-tune coordination between airport systems, ground handling teams, and airline procedures ahead of the official commencement of full seaplane operations at Terminal 1.
The introduction of dedicated, 24-hour seaplane check-in counters at Terminal 1 reflects the Maldives’ position as home to the largest seaplane network in the world. For the country’s luxury resort sector, where a large proportion of guests travel onwards by seaplane directly from Velana International Airport to island properties, this development is expected to strengthen reliability, reduce transfer bottlenecks, and improve the overall guest journey. Streamlined check-in processes, better capacity management, and closer integration between international arrivals and domestic seaplane departures are anticipated to support resorts in delivering a smoother arrival experience, from the first step off the international flight to check-in at overwater villas and beach suites throughout the archipelago.
Terminal 1 itself represents a significant enhancement to the country’s gateway infrastructure. Officially inaugurated on 26 July this year, the new terminal spans 72,000 square metres and is designed to handle up to 7.5 million passengers annually. Currently, 33 airlines are operating from the new passenger terminal, underscoring its role as a principal hub for international and regional connectivity. The facility is equipped with 12 passenger boarding bridges, 47 conventional check-in counters, six self check-in kiosks, and an advanced baggage handling system with real-time tracking. These features collectively support faster processing times and greater comfort for passengers, while enabling airlines and airport operators to deliver more efficient, technology-driven services.
For the tourism industry, the strengthening of Terminal 1’s operational capacity, particularly for seaplane services, is closely aligned with the Maldives’ positioning as a high-end, experience-driven destination. Resorts across the country rely on reliable and well-coordinated seaplane transfers to maintain the premium standards expected by global travellers. Enhanced terminal facilities, combined with continuous operational testing by MACL and its airline partners, are expected to improve punctuality, reduce congestion during peak arrival and departure windows, and support resorts in offering guests a more effortless and memorable journey right from the airport. MACL has been gradually transitioning operations to the new terminal as part of broader plans to modernise passenger processing and improve operational efficiency at Velana International Airport, reinforcing the Maldives’ reputation as a world-class destination with infrastructure that supports sustained tourism growth.
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