Velana International Airport’s (VIA) newly developed Terminal 1 has officially commenced operations for Saudia Airlines, marking another milestone in the expansion of the airport’s international operations.

A special ceremony was held to commemorate Saudia’s first flight from the new terminal, attended by State Minister of Tourism and Environment Mohamed Nashaath Rasheed, Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahya Hassan Alqahtani, and senior officials from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Saudia Airlines.

During the event, Saudia Airlines inaugurated its check-in counters and presented special gifts to 57 passengers on the inaugural outbound flight. The arriving aircraft was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute, followed by a traditional Maldivian cultural performance to greet the 127 arriving passengers.

Saudia Airlines is now the 11th airline to operate from Terminal 1, joining Maldivian, Air Arabia, Batik Air, Beyond, Beijing Capital Airlines, Bangkok Airways, FitsAir, IndiGo, Gulf Air, and Malaysia Airlines.

MACL reaffirmed its commitment to providing world-class service and enhanced passenger experiences as part of the ongoing development of VIA, ensuring that Terminal 1 continues to serve as a key gateway for international travellers to the Maldives.