The new international passenger terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), scheduled to open on July 26, will begin operations with national carrier Maldivian.

The decision was confirmed by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Managing Director and CEO Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed during a media networking event held on Sunday evening.

Consultants overseeing the airport’s Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) process have recommended a phased transition to minimise service disruptions during the move to the new terminal. Following Maldivian, narrow-body and wide-body international flights will gradually shift to the new terminal, with full operational capacity expected ahead of this year’s winter season—the Maldives’ peak tourism period.

Shareef said President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who has taken a close interest in the project, personally directed the prioritisation of the terminal’s opening, recognising the challenges of the existing terminal, which was built in 1978 and continues to face capacity limitations.

He also highlighted prolonged delays in the terminal’s development, noting that when the current Administration assumed office, the project had been ongoing for nine years with only 54 per cent of the work completed. He said the Government has since accelerated progress to meet urgent infrastructure needs and support tourism and economic growth.

The new terminal is designed to handle 7.5 million passengers annually. It will feature modern facilities including airbridges, self-check-in kiosks, an automated baggage handling system, and a visual docking guidance system.