Raya Airways Launches Scheduled Freighter Services Between Malaysia and Maldives

Velana International Airport (MLE) has expanded its freighter network with the launch of twice-weekly scheduled cargo services between Penang, Malaysia, and Malé by Raya Airways.

The Malaysian airline commenced the service yesterday with Teleport, a Southeast Asian logistics provider, chartering the flights.

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According to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Raya Airways operates the service using Boeing 767-200 freighters, marking the first scheduled widebody freighter operation at Velana International Airport. Each flight has an average cargo payload capacity of around 46 tonnes.

The new service also establishes Velana International Airport’s first direct freighter connection with Penang and its first scheduled freighter link with Malaysia.

While the airport has previously handled charter freighter operations from the region, the new service provides dedicated and regular cargo capacity between Southeast Asia and the Maldives.

Around 80 to 90 percent of the cargo carried on the service is expected to be transshipment cargo, strengthening the airport’s role as a connecting cargo hub and providing shippers with alternative routes to global markets.

Raya Airways is the second scheduled freighter operator to join Velana International Airport’s freighter network. Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said the expansion reflects its efforts to attract additional freighter operators, diversify cargo connectivity and develop the airport as a transshipment gateway.

Between January and July 2026, Velana International Airport handled 3,228 tonnes of freighter cargo across 390 freighter movements, connecting the airport with Bengaluru, Chennai, Yangon, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai and Hanoi.

In 2025, the airport handled more than 4,300 tonnes of freighter cargo across 518 freighter movements.