A grand water salute welcomed the first Maldivian Airlines flight to the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) on Sunday, less than a day after its official inauguration.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) had said the new terminal will be initially allocated to only the national airline, Maldivian’s international passengers.
The first flight to successfully dock at one of the brand new boarding bridges of the new terminal was Maldivian's wide-body A330 aircraft which arrived at VIA from Cochin with about 100 passengers.
Maldivian airline’s crew on this historic flight was dressed in traditional attire to commemorate this landmark occasion.
The passengers were welcomed at the new terminal by several senior government and MACL officials, including the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, Minister of Finance and Planning Moosa Zameer, Minister of Tourism and Environment Thoriq Ibrahim accompanied by MACL CEO Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, MACL Chairman, Deputy Managing Directors and Maldivian airline officials.
MACL is seeking consultation from Modalis Infrastructure Partners Inc. to ensure that the new passenger terminal meets international standards, prioritises safety and offers comprehensive services.
According to MACL, the new international passenger terminal will be brought into full operation over a period of three months in line with international best practices.
Services will be switched to the new terminal under a specific schedule as advised by the consultant where Maldivian will get first use of the new terminal which will continue for a two week period.
Under the second phase, the terminal will be opened to other airlines' narrow body flights based on the Maldivian's experience. Nine airlines have already been designated to operate narrow body flights with a carrying capacity of about 200 passengers to Maldives, MACL had said.
MACL expects the entire terminal will be fully operational by the start of this year's tourist season.
The state-of-the-art new terminal was officially inaugurated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu late Saturday with approximately 6,000 invitees in attendance, during a grand and colourful ceremony.
During the grand ceremony held at VIA on Saturday evening, featured a special report on the airport’s long history and developmental journey, followed by a special theatrical performance, highlighting the rich culture and proud heritage of the Maldives.
The performance was followed by hundreds of drones displaying key highlights of Maldives’ independence and the historical journey of VIA, capped off by a grand fireworks display, synchronised to go off all around the capital Male’.
This 72,000 square meter terminal, designed to handle 7.5 million passengers annually, is a pivotal development for Maldivian tourism. Key features include 12 passenger boarding bridges, 47 traditional and 24 dedicated seaplane check-in counters, and an advanced baggage handling system with real-time tracking. Enhanced immigration facilities, including e-gates, along with 41 elevators, 14 escalators, and 4 travellators, ensure a seamless and efficient passenger flow. The terminal's design thoughtfully integrates local aesthetics, with wall patterns reflecting the natural beauty of the Maldives.
Designed to accommodate seven million passengers annually, the facility is expected to broaden airline partnerships and support expanded flight frequencies. Government officials project the upgraded terminal will reinforce the Maldives' tourism sector and elevate the country's standing as a regional hub for international travel.