Etihad Airways has become the third UAE airline to begin operations from the new Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport, making it the 29th airline to launch services from the facility. A special ceremony was held to commemorate the milestone, attended by Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu, Etihad’s Area Manager Central Rehan Mohamed Faiz, Airport Manager Munaz Ali, and senior MACL officials.

During the inauguration, Etihad opened its service counters and presented gifts to 305 departing passengers, while the 180 passengers arriving on the airline’s first flight were welcomed with traditional cultural applause. Etihad, the UAE’s second-largest national airline, first began operations to the Maldives in 2011, and its move to Terminal 1 reflects ongoing expansion at VIA.