Velana International Airport has entered a new phase of operational expansion this November as three international carriers, Austrian Airlines, AirAsia Group and Condor, formally moved their passenger operations to Terminal 1, marking a coordinated enhancement of the airport’s handling capacity and service layout. The transition reflects Maldives Airports Company Limited’s broader strategy to streamline traffic flows during the peak tourism season while strengthening Maldives position as a global aviation hub.
Austrian Airlines became the first among the trio to begin operations from T1 on 15 November. The inaugural service was marked with a ceremony attended by officials from MACL and the airline, along with ground handling representatives. Austrian Airlines shifted its counter operations and welcomed 321 passengers on the first flight handled at the new terminal. The airline has served the Maldives market since 1995, and this year’s relocation follows its inclusion as the twenty third airline to operate from Terminal 1 since the facility opened in July 2025.
Two days later, on 17 November, AirAsia Malaysia and Thai AirAsia also moved to Terminal 1, further consolidating low cost operator traffic under the same passenger facility. A ceremony led by the Managing Director of Maldives Transport and Contracting Company was held to inaugurate their new check in areas. AirAsia Malaysia carried 135 passengers on its first T1 departure, while Thai AirAsia handled 144 passengers. Both airlines have established long term operations in the Maldives market since 2015 and 2017 respectively. With their transition, the total number of airlines operating from Terminal 1 rose to twenty five.
The latest addition came on 20 November when German leisure carrier Condor transferred its Maldives operations to T1. The event was officiated by West Management Corporation’s Managing Director alongside Condor’s regional ground operations leadership. Condor’s first flight handled at the terminal carried 302 passengers. The airline has flown to the Maldives since 1981 and is now the twenty sixth carrier to join the T1 roster.
The coordinated transition of all three airlines signals a rapid consolidation of international traffic into Velana’s newly developed terminal, which was built to accommodate increasing demand driven by tourism growth and rising long haul connectivity. With Terminal 1 now hosting twenty six airlines, the airport is positioned to deliver smoother check in processes, expanded handling capacity and a more consistent passenger experience during peak operational periods.
MACL noted that the enhancements at Terminal 1 are part of a phased airport modernisation programme aligned with the Maldives wider aviation and tourism development goals. The company continues to expand infrastructure to support both premium full service carriers and high frequency low cost operators, strengthening the Maldives position as a preferred destination for European and Asian markets.
