Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has strengthened operational preparations at Velana International Airport (VIA) ahead of the upcoming peak travel season, bringing together key government stakeholders and frontline airport teams to ensure smooth passenger movement, efficient aircraft operations and high service standards during one of the busiest periods of the year.
The high-level coordination meeting was attended by MACL Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, together with operational teams responsible for the airport’s day-to-day services. The discussions focused on ensuring that airport facilities, manpower, passenger processing systems and government border-control services are fully aligned to accommodate the expected rise in international arrivals and departures.
The preparations come as the Maldives enters a traditionally strong tourism period, when international demand increases significantly and resorts across the country welcome a higher volume of visitors from key global markets. With Velana International Airport serving as the principal international gateway to the Maldives, efficient airport operations remain essential to delivering a positive first and final impression for travellers visiting the destination.
MACL said participants reviewed operational adjustments across major airport functions, including resource deployment, passenger processing efficiency and overall service delivery. Particular attention was given to maintaining smooth terminal flows during periods of concentrated flight activity and preventing unnecessary congestion at check-in, immigration, security and baggage-processing areas.
Close coordination between MACL, immigration, customs, security personnel, ground handling teams and other relevant government agencies has also been prioritised. The coordinated approach is intended to ensure that passengers move efficiently through the airport while maintaining the operational standards required at an international aviation hub serving one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.
As part of the seasonal arrangements, MACL has relocated check-in operations for 10 international airlines to Terminal 2. The measure is designed to distribute departing passenger volumes more evenly between airport facilities and provide additional processing capacity during the winter travel period.
Passengers travelling with Neos, Aeroflot, US-Bangla Airlines, Centrum Air, Azur Air, S7 Airlines, Shirak Avia, Kuwait Airways, GullivAir and French Bee are required to complete their check-in procedures at Terminal 2. The arrangement will remain in place throughout the winter travel season, helping reduce pressure on the main departure areas while increasing available check-in capacity and supporting faster passenger clearance.
Terminal 2 is equipped with 27 dedicated check-in counters, upgraded baggage-handling infrastructure, passenger dining facilities, prayer rooms and a dedicated children’s play area. The facility provides additional operational flexibility for VIA at a time when international airlines are increasing services and tourism establishments across the Maldives are preparing to receive growing numbers of visitors.
The seasonal preparations are particularly important for the Maldives’ resort industry, which depends heavily on efficient air connectivity and seamless onward transfers for international guests. Visitors arriving at Velana International Airport frequently continue their journeys to island resorts by seaplane, domestic flight or speedboat, making effective coordination at the main international gateway an important part of the wider tourism experience.
Improved passenger distribution between terminals is also expected to support smoother connections for travellers heading to resorts across the country. During the peak season, timely baggage processing, immigration clearance and coordinated ground services play an important role in ensuring that guests can continue to their resort destinations without unnecessary delays.
The Government and MACL have continued to place strong emphasis on improving aviation infrastructure and strengthening the passenger experience as the Maldives expands its position as a premium global tourism destination. Ongoing improvements at Velana International Airport are supporting increased international connectivity while providing the capacity required to accommodate future growth in tourism and air traffic.
Airport authorities have advised passengers travelling with the 10 affected airlines to proceed directly to Terminal 2 and arrive with sufficient time to complete check-in, security screening and border-control procedures.
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