Gulf Air Commences Operations From Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport
Photo: MACL
Gulf Air has officially begun operations from Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport (VIA), becoming the ninth airline to use the new terminal.
We welcomed Gulf Air to Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport with a water salute. Passengers on the first Gulf Air flight to Terminal 1 were warmly received by Chairperson of Visit Maldives Abdulla Giyaas, Deputy Managing Director of MACL Mujthaba Latheef, Airport Manager… pic.twitter.com/hMCUhwv8Su
— Maldives Airports Company Ltd (@MACLmedia) October 6, 2025advertisement
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The airline was welcomed with a water salute as its first flight, GF145, approached the terminal.
Passengers on the inaugural flight were warmly received by Chairperson of Visit Maldives Abdulla Giyaas, Deputy Managing Director of MACL Mujthaba Latheef, Gulf Air Airport Manager Mohamed Arshadh Mohamed Navaas, and members of the MACL senior management. Gulf Air officially opened its check-in counters and presented gifts to 77 passengers on the flight, while 18 passengers were greeted with cultural performances.
Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, launched flights to the Maldives on 27 October 2019. The airline currently operates one daily flight between Bahrain and the Maldives, as well as one daily flight between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
With Gulf Air’s addition, Terminal 1 now serves Maldivian, IndiGo, Air Arabia, Beyond, Fitz Air, Beijing Capital Airlines, Batik Air, and Bangkok Airways. The terminal was inaugurated on 26 July and commenced operations with Maldivian as its first carrier.
