Malaysia Airlines has officially commenced operations from Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA), marking another milestone in the Maldives’ growing aviation network.
A special ceremony was held yesterday to commemorate the airline’s first flight from the state-of-the-art terminal. The event was attended by Ibrahim Iyas, Managing Director of Island Aviation Services, who graced the occasion as chief guest. Senior officials from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Malaysia Airlines were also present, including Ahmad Hanam Faiz, Station Head of Malaysia Airlines Malé.
During the ceremony, Malaysia Airlines opened its check-in counters at Terminal 1 and celebrated the inaugural flight by presenting commemorative gifts to 170 outbound passengers. The airline’s first aircraft, flight MH485, was welcomed with a traditional water salute as it arrived at the new terminal. The 172 inbound passengers were greeted with warm hospitality and cultural performances, reflecting the Maldivian spirit of welcome.
With this move, Malaysia Airlines becomes the 10th airline to operate from Terminal 1, joining the ranks of Maldivian, Air Arabia, Beyond, FitsAir, Beijing Capital Airlines, Batik Air, Bangkok Airways, IndiGo, and Gulf Air.
MACL emphasized that the addition of Malaysia Airlines to Terminal 1 operations reinforces the company’s commitment to providing comprehensive, world-class services to all airlines flying to and from the Maldives.
The opening of Terminal 1 represents a major step in VIA’s transformation into a modern aviation hub, capable of handling millions of passengers annually. The inclusion of Malaysia Airlines—one of Asia’s most established carriers—further enhances connectivity between the Maldives and key Asian markets, supporting both tourism and trade growth.
