Velana International Airport’s (VIA) newly developed Terminal 1 has commenced operations for Saudia Airlines.

A special ceremony was held to celebrate the airline’s first operation from the new terminal. The event was attended by State Minister of Tourism and Environment Mohamed Nashaath Rasheed, Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahya Hassan Alqahtani, and senior officials from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Saudia Airlines.

During the ceremony, Saudia Airlines officially opened its check-in counters and presented gifts to 57 passengers travelling on the inaugural flight. The first Saudia Airlines flight was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute upon its arrival at Terminal 1, followed by a traditional Maldivian cultural reception for its 127 passengers.

Saudia Airlines is the 11th airline to begin operations from Terminal 1, joining Maldivian, Air Arabia, Batik Air, Beyond, Beijing Capital Airlines, Bangkok Airways, FitsAir, IndiGo, Gulf Air, and Malaysia Airlines.

MACL stated that it remains committed to delivering high-quality services to all airlines operating from the new terminal as part of its efforts to enhance the overall passenger experience at VIA.