VIA new terminal to host all airlines by year-end

Tourism Minister Thoriq Ibrahim has announced that all international airlines will be relocated to the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) before the end of this year.

Speaking to state media PSM on the occasion of the government’s two-year anniversary, Thoriq said the new terminal began operations in July last year and is gradually absorbing all international flight services.

“I believe that by the end of this year, all international flights will be serviced by the new terminal. This is a huge boost for Maldives' tourism,” he said.

Germany’s Condor Airlines began operating from the new terminal on Thursday, becoming the first German carrier to do so. Condor has flown to the Maldives since October 31, 1981.

The new terminal, inaugurated on July 26, 2024, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Maldives’ independence, is designed to handle 7.5 million passengers annually. The project cost approximately MVR 6 billion.

Originally initiated under former President Abdulla Yameen, much of the construction was carried out during the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration. The current government completed and opened one section of the terminal after extensive work.

The opening ceremony, which featured a drone show and a world record-breaking air show, cost over MVR 18 million, according to official figures.