Velana Airport Welcomes Saudia as 11th Airline at Terminal 1

Velana International Airport (VIA) has officially welcomed Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, as the 11th carrier to commence operations from its newly inaugurated Terminal 1.

Velana International Airport’s Terminal 1 was inaugurated on July 26, 2025, and has since welcomed Saudia as its 11th operating airline, joining a growing roster of regional and international carriers.

Terminal 1 was officially inaugurated on July 26, 2025, coinciding with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations. The facility represents a major upgrade to VIA’s infrastructure, replacing the aging Terminal 2 which had long struggled with capacity constraints.

Designed to handle up to 7.5 million passengers annually, Terminal 1 spans 78,000 square meters and features six aerobridges, automated baggage systems, and 38 immigration counters. The terminal’s phased opening began with a select group of airlines transitioning from Terminal 2. As of late September, carriers such as Maldivian, Air Arabia, FitsAir, BeOnd, Beijing Capital Airlines and etc had commenced operations at Terminal 1.

Saudia’s addition strengthens VIA’s links to the Middle East and supports growing demand for direct routes between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.