‏SriLankan Airlines Commences Operations at Velana International Airport Terminal 1

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 Airlines Country Manager Nayomi Tennakoon.

As part of the celebrations, 115 departing passengers were presented with commemorative gifts at the newly inaugurated check-in counters, while 277 arriving passengers were welcomed with traditional Maldivian dances, reflecting the hospitality and vibrancy of the Maldives’ tourism gateway.

SriLankan Airlines’ move follows FitsAir’s earlier relocation, making it the second Sri Lankan airline to operate from Terminal 1. The new terminal, inaugurated in July 2025, is designed to handle 7.5 million passengers annually and currently accommodates more than 30 international carriers.