The newly opened Passenger Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport has officially welcomed Turkish Airlines, marking another major milestone in the airport’s phased operational rollout.
The commencement of Turkish Airlines services from Terminal 1 was celebrated with a formal ceremony held at the terminal earlier today, attended by the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Maldives Airports Company Limited, Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed. Senior MACL officials and the airline’s Station Manager in the Maldives, Elif Ozturk Minak, were also present.
As part of the transition, Turkish Airlines officially opened its check-in counters at Terminal 1, while commemorative gifts were distributed to 227 departing passengers to mark the occasion. The first arriving flight to use the new terminal, TK734, was accorded a traditional cultural welcome on arrival, with 384 inbound passengers received amid local performances.
Turkish Airlines has maintained a long-standing presence in the Maldivian market, having launched flights to the Maldives on November 25, 2012. The move to Terminal 1 aligns with MACL’s broader strategy to enhance passenger experience, streamline airline operations, and gradually shift international carriers into the airport’s new flagship facility.
With Turkish Airlines now operating from Terminal 1, the terminal is providing services to a total of 41 international airlines. MACL has reiterated its commitment to maintaining high operational standards and delivering premium airport services as Velana International Airport continues its transformation into a leading aviation hub in the region.
