Singapore Airlines Begins Operations at Velana International Airport’s New Terminal 1

Singapore Airlines has officially commenced operations at the new Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport (VIA), the main airport of the Maldives. 

The first flight to approach the terminal was an Airbus A350, marking the first time this aircraft type has been welcomed at Terminal 1, according to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

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Singapore Airlines is the 32nd airline to operate at the newly inaugurated terminal, which opened on 26 July this year. The airline has been serving the Maldives since 28 March 1984.

A special ceremony was held to mark the start of Singapore Airlines’ operations at Terminal 1. The event was attended by MACL senior officials, including Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, as well as Haaziq Sulaiman, General Manager of Singapore Airlines, and Ismail Rasheed, CEO and Managing Director of Dhiraagu.

MACL confirmed that the airline’s check-in counters were officially opened today, with gifts presented to the 205 departing passengers. The first flight to arrive at Terminal 1, SQ432, carrying 244 passengers, was welcomed with cultural activities.

The new VIA terminal project cost USD 457 million (MVR 7 billion). MACL projects that the terminal will increase revenue by 7–8 percent in its first year of operation, with a further anticipated growth of 15 percent in the following year. The revenue increase is expected to result from additional airline slots during peak hours, as well as the expansion of duty-free operations and other passenger services.