Air Arabia has become the first international airline to operate from Velana International Airport’s (VIA) newly opened international passenger terminal, marking a key milestone in the Maldives’ aviation history.
The landmark moment was celebrated on Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the carrier’s inaugural flight from Terminal 1, attended by officials from both Air Arabia and the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). Passengers departing on the flight enjoyed the first full check-in experience in the state-of-the-art facility.
The terminal, which was officially opened on 26 July to coincide with Maldives’ Independence Day, initially handled only Maldivian airline’s international departures. MACL has now expanded operations to include selected foreign carriers, starting with Air Arabia.
MACL Managing Director and CEO Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed said the introduction of international operations is part of a phased opening strategy to ensure safety, service quality, and compliance with global airport standards. The company is working with Modalis Infrastructure Partners Inc. to guide the rollout, which will gradually extend to other airlines over a three-month period.
Under the current schedule, Maldivian retains exclusive use of the terminal for two weeks before other carriers are introduced. In the next phase, narrow-body flights from seven designated international airlines, each with a capacity of around 200 passengers, will shift to the new facility. Full operations are expected to be in place ahead of the year’s peak tourist season.
Spanning 72,000 square meters, the new terminal is designed to handle seven million passengers annually. It features 12 passenger boarding bridges, 47 standard check-in counters, 24 dedicated seaplane check-in counters, a modern baggage handling system with real-time tracking, and e-gates at immigration. Accessibility is enhanced with 41 elevators, 14 escalators, and four travellators.
The interior incorporates Maldivian design elements, with wall patterns inspired by the country’s natural beauty. Officials say the facility is set to boost airline partnerships, increase flight frequencies, and elevate the Maldives’ status as a regional travel hub — strengthening its vital tourism sector in the process.
