All International Airlines To Shift To New VIA Terminal Before Year-End, Says Gov’t
All international flights to Maldives will shift to new Velana terminal this year | Photo: VIA
The government has stated that all international airlines operating to the Maldives will be relocated to the new terminal at Velana International Airport before the end of this year.
Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim explained that the new terminal, which began partial operations in July last year, is gradually accommodating all international flight services as part of an ongoing transition. He said the relocation will strengthen the country’s tourism sector by improving passenger handling capacity and service standards.
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Germany’s Condor Airlines began operating from the new terminal on Thursday, becoming the first German carrier to do so. The airline has been flying to the Maldives since 31 October 1981.
The new international terminal, inaugurated on 26 July 2024 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Maldives’ independence, has the capacity to handle 7.5 million passengers annually. The project, valued at approximately MVR 6 billion, was initiated during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, with most construction undertaken during the Maldivian Democratic Party administration. The current government completed and opened one section of the terminal after additional work.
Official figures show that the opening ceremony, which included a drone display and a world record-breaking air show, cost more than MVR 18 million.
