Velana International Airport (VIA) recorded a strong year in 2025, handling 8.28 million passengers, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. The growth reflects continued demand across international, domestic, and seaplane operations, supported by rising tourist arrivals and improved inter‑island connectivity. Of the total passenger volume, 5.38 million were international travellers, underscoring VIA’s role as the Maldives’ primary gateway. Domestic traffic reached 1.17

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is one of the strongest and most profitable state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the Maldives. Its financial performance, anchored by the operation of Velana International Airport has consistently placed it at the top among SOEs. However, over the course of 2025, MACL embarked on an unusually broad and intensive investment programme aligned with government development priorities. The scale, speed, and diversity of these commitments repres

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has implemented a revised fee structure for vehicles operating inside Velana International Airport (VIA). According to MACL, the new fee structure is based on the COE framework, which requires all vehicles operating within designated airport zones to obtain a COE permit. Under this system, MACL has introduced two categories of fees: 1. Operational Vehicles Standard rate: USD 3,000 per year No discounts available 2. Premium Vehicles Sta

Velana International Airport (VIA) is progressing toward the completion of Phase 2 of the Taxiway Charlie (Taxiway C) reconstruction, following a final inspection carried out by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority in coordination with airport departments. Taxiway Charlie occupies the alignment of VIA’s former runway, which was later converted into a taxiway and is now undergoing a rebuild. Phase 2 covers a 548‑metre section, with reconstruction works conducted between 18 Au

Turkish Airlines has commenced operations at Velana International Airport (VIA) Terminal 1, becoming the 41st airline to shift its services to the new terminal. The inaugural arrival was welcomed with a warm reception led by MACL CEO & Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, alongside Turkish Airlines Maldives Station Manager Ms. Elif Ozturk Minach, Deputy Managing Director Mujthaba Latheef, and members of the MACL Executive Committee. The delegation greeted arriving passe

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has signed a tripartite agreement with the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and Maldives National Air Traffic Service (MNATS) to enhance cooperation and support during emergencies at Velana International Airport (VIA). The signing ceremony was held today at Hulhulé Island Hotel and attended by senior officials from all three institutions. The agreement was signed by Commissioner of Police Ismail Naveen and MPS Managing Director Hassan Sha

Aeroflot officially began operations from Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport (VIA) on 28 December, marked by a ceremonial welcome for the airline’s inaugural arrival. The flight was received a traditional water salute, followed by a warm reception for arriving passengers. Among those present were Hussain Fahmy, Principal Secretary to the President on Policy and Manifesto; Evgeny Ratushnyy, Aeroflot General Manager for the Maldives; Aleksei Idamkin, Consul General of t

A robbery has been reported at the Maldivian office inside Hoarafushi Airport, after two boxes of cargo were stolen in the early hours of December 28. According to police, the report was received at 3:58 am on Saturday morning. Officers confirmed that two cargo boxes were taken from the Maldivian office, though the contents of the boxes have not been disclosed. Police say the case remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made so far. Airports in the Maldives oper

Velana International Airport (VIA) is experiencing one of its busiest days of the year today, with more than 27,000 passengers expected to travel through the airport before the day concludes. According to current operational data, the international terminal will see 22,142 passengers throughout the day. This includes 11,035 departing passengers and 11,107 arriving passengers, reflecting strong two‑way travel demand during the festive period. The domestic terminal is also reco

Emirates officially launched its operations from the newly opened Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA) today, following a ceremonial ribbon‑cutting that marked the opening of the airline’s dedicated check‑in counters. Terminal 1, inaugurated as part of VIA’s multi‑year expansion programme, is designed to significantly enhance passenger capacity and streamline airport operations. The new facility features modern check‑in areas, advanced baggage handling systems, an

ITA Airways has commenced operations at Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport, becoming the 35th airline to begin using the new international terminal. The airline’s inaugural arrival was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute, followed by traditional Maldivian boduberu performances for disembarking passengers. ITA Airways has a history of operating seasonal services to the Maldives, continuing the winter‑season routes previously flown by Alitalia before the carrier cea

SriLankan Airlines has officially commenced operations at Velana International Airport’s (VIA) new Terminal 1, becoming the second Sri Lankan carrier after FitsAir to transition to the modern facility. Arriving passengers were greeted by Mohamed Rizvi Hassan, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Maldives, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, CEO and Managing Director of MACL, Deputy Managing Director Mujthaba Latheef, members of MACL’s Executive Committee, and SriLankan Airl

Singapore Airlines has officially transitioned its operations to Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport. The inaugural flight into the new terminal was greeted with a ceremonial water salute, underscoring the importance of the occasion for both the airline and the airport operator. Arriving passengers were warmly welcomed by Dhiraagu Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Ismail Rasheed, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Chief Executive Officer and Managing

Maldives Airports Company Ltd. (MACL), the operator of Velana International Airport, has reported the highest net profit among state‑owned enterprises (SOEs) in the first quarter of 2025, posting earnings of MVR 571.83 million, according to figures released by the Privatization and Corporatization Board (PCB). MACL generated MVR 2.48 billion in total revenue during the quarter, marking a 14 percent increase compared to Q4 2024. The performance was driven by: Fuel Sales: MVR 1

Discover Airlines has begun operating from Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA), marking another step in the phased relocation of international carriers to the airports’ newly opened facility. The airline’s first service into the terminal was greeted with a ceremonial water salute, a traditional gesture to mark significant aviation milestones. Senior officials, including Ibrahim Nazeem, Managing Director of the Road Development Corporation, and Deputy Managing Dir

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates and the country’s second-largest carrier, has officially commenced services from the new terminal of Velana International Airport (VIA). The inauguration ceremony, held yesterday at the Maldives’ main airport, was graced by the Minister of Sports, Abdulla Rafiu, alongside senior officials from Etihad Airways in the Maldives, regional executives, and high-ranking representatives from Maldives Airports Company Lim

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has signed two agreements to develop a City Hotel, Eco-Tourism Project, and a Sports Complex in Fuvahmulah City. The first agreement, signed with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, outlines the development of a City Hotel and Eco-Tourism Project aimed at enhancing Fuvahmulah’s appeal as a southern tourism hub. The signing took place during President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to the city and was formalized by Ibrahim Sha

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has officially welcomed Edelweiss Air, a Swiss leisure airline based in Zurich, as the 22nd international carrier to operate from Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA). The airline’s arrival was marked with a ceremonial water salute, celebrating its transition to the newly inaugurated terminal. Edelweiss Air, a member of the Lufthansa Group, operates seasonal long-haul services connecting Zurich with leisure destinations, in

Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, confirmed via a post on X that police have recovered the speedboat used in the Velana International Airport robbery and arrested four suspects linked to the incident. The robbery occurred around 4:45 a.m. when two employees of Bank of Maldives (BML) were transporting a briefcase containing cash between the old and new terminals of the airport. Masked individuals intercepted the staff and seized the briefcase before fl

A robbery involving masked individuals occurred at Velana International Airport (VIA) targeting staff from the Bank of Maldives (BML) during a routine cash transfer. The suspects fled the scene using a speedboat, prompting a police investigation into what is believed to be a premeditated crime. According to police reports, the incident took place around 4:45 a.m. as two BML employees were transporting a briefcase containing cash between the old and new terminals of the airpo