Qatar’s national airline, Qatar Airways has become the latest carrier to commence operations from terminal 1 in Velana International Airport (VIA).
A special ceremony was held at the airport to mark Qatar Airways’ transition to the new terminal. The chief guest of the ceremony was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdullah Khaleel. Also present at the ceremony were Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, Qatar Airways Network Station’s Vice President Paul Lucian, Qatar Airways officials and MACL managers and officials.
During the event, Qatar’s check-in counters were officially opened with gifts presented to the 162 departing passengers. Meanwhile, the 222 arriving passengers on the first Qatar flight to operate from the new terminal were welcomed with traditional maldivian cultural performances.
Qatar Airways has been serving the Maldives since 18 December 2001. With this airline, a total of 37 airlines have commenced operations from terminal 1.