Air Arabia has made history as the first foreign carrier to operate from Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport (VIA), marking a key milestone in the terminal’s phased opening.
The launch was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the new facility. Currently operating one daily flight to the Maldives, Air Arabia will double its frequency to two flights per day starting 27 October 2025.
Terminal 1 began limited operations on Independence Day, with national airline Maldivian being the first to use the facility. Talks are ongoing with several other carriers — including Chongjin Airlines, Beond, Xiamen Air, Oman Air, Fits Aviation, US-Bangla Airlines, Bangkok Airways, and Batik Air — to expand operations from the new terminal.
Over the next three months, the terminal will undergo trials for narrow-body aircraft handling, accommodating planes with up to 200 passengers before expanding to serve additional aircraft types.
Equipped with modern amenities, Terminal 1 offers 47 check-in counters, six self-service kiosks, 24 seaplane check-in counters, and 12 airbridges designed to cut disembarkation time to just eight minutes. According to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), the upgraded facilities will improve both efficiency and passenger experience.
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