Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, has officially commenced operations from the newly opened Passenger Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA), becoming the ninth airline to operate from the state-of-the-art facility.
The milestone was marked by a special inauguration ceremony attended by high-ranking officials from both Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and Gulf Air. The event was graced by Abdulla Ghiyas, Chairperson of Visit Maldives Corporation, and joined by Mujuthaba Latheef, MACL’s Deputy Managing Director, and Mohamed Arshad Mohamed Nawaz, Gulf Air’s Airport Manager in the Maldives.
During the ceremony, Gulf Air’s check-in counters were officially launched, followed by a traditional water salute for the first aircraft, flight GF145, as it arrived at Terminal 1. The 18 arriving passengers were greeted with cultural performances, while 77 outbound passengers received commemorative gifts before departure — underscoring the airline’s commitment to enhancing passenger experience.
Gulf Air first launched its Maldives operations on October 27, 2019, connecting Bahrain and Malé with daily flights. The airline currently operates one flight per day between the two destinations and maintains a daily service between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, reflecting its growing regional presence in South Asia.
With this move, Gulf Air becomes the second Middle Eastern airline to shift operations to Terminal 1, joining a list of carriers that includes Maldivian, Air Arabia, Beyond, FitsAir, Beijing Capital Airlines, Batik Air, Bangkok Airways, and IndiGo.
MACL stated that the relocation aligns with its broader strategy to ensure “the most comprehensive and highest quality service” for all airlines operating to and from the Maldives. The addition of Gulf Air to Terminal 1 operations underscores the ongoing transformation of VIA into a regional aviation hub capable of handling increased passenger volumes with greater efficiency and comfort.
Terminal 1, designed to support 7.5 million passengers annually, represents a major leap in Maldives’ airport infrastructure, complementing the government’s long-term goal of positioning the country as a premier global aviation and tourism gateway.
