British Airways has officially begun operating from the newly opened Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA).

A special ceremony was held on Saturday to commemorate the opening, attended by the Acting High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to the Maldives, Toff Wahab, alongside British Airways Airport Manager Mohammed Nihan and senior officials from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

During the event, British Airways’ check-in counters were formally launched, and gifts were presented to 126 passengers departing on the airline’s flight. Passengers arriving on the first British Airways service to operate from Terminal 1, flight BA061, were welcomed with traditional Maldivian cultural performances.

British Airways, the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, first commenced operations to the Maldives on 26 October 2009.

With the addition of British Airways, Terminal 1 now serves 13 international airlines. The terminal aims to deliver enhanced facilities and a higher standard of service for airlines and passengers travelling to the country.