Velana International Airport’s (VIA) new passenger facility, Terminal 1, marked a milestone today as it welcomed Beyond, the first luxury airline to commence operations from the terminal. The launch also makes Beyond the third airline overall to operate from the state-of-the-art facility.
Ceremony to Mark the Launch
A special inauguration ceremony was held at Terminal 1, attended by high-ranking government and aviation officials. Minister at the President’s Office for Presidential Affairs, Ali Arif, graced the event alongside Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) board members, CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, and Deputy Managing Director Mohamed Lamaan. Beyond was represented by General Manager Ibrahim Akhtar and Station Manager Hussain Fayaz.
The ceremony featured the official opening of Beyond’s check-in counters, along with a gift presentation to 43 departing passengers. Beyond’s first flight from Terminal 1, flight B4091, was honored with a traditional water salute, while the 35 passengers arriving on board were greeted with Maldivian cultural performances.
A New Chapter for Maldivian Aviation
Beyond, established through a joint venture between Maldivian conglomerate SIMDI Group and Arabex, an aviation investment company, positions itself as a premium airline catering to the high-end tourism segment. With the Maldives consistently ranking among the world’s most sought-after luxury destinations, the airline is expected to strengthen connectivity tailored for affluent travelers.
Terminal 1 already serves the national carrier Maldivian and UAE-based low-cost airline Air Arabia. MACL confirmed that four additional international airlines are scheduled to shift operations to the terminal within the month, further expanding VIA’s operational capacity.
World-Class Passenger Experience
Designed to handle up to 7 million passengers annually, Terminal 1 introduces several firsts for Maldivian aviation. The terminal features:
- Expanded Immigration Capacity: Over 20 counters and six e-gates for departures, and 28 counters with seven e-gates for arrivals.
- Modern Boarding Facilities: Twelve fully air-conditioned aero bridges, the first of their kind in the country.
- Advanced Baggage Systems: High-speed baggage belts and next-generation scanning systems to streamline security and passenger convenience.
According to MACL, the expansion reflects its commitment to delivering world-class services to airlines and travelers, positioning VIA as a premier gateway for the Maldives’ growing aviation and tourism sector.
