The Maldives’ aviation sector reached a new milestone today as Virgin Atlantic officially began operating from Velana International Airport’s cutting-edge Terminal 1. A formal inauguration marked the shift, signalling the facility’s transformation into a key hub for international carriers.
In attendance at the ceremony was Ibrahim Thoha, Managing Director of Maldives National Air Traffic Services (MNATS), alongside Asim Shaikh, Airport Manager of Virgin Atlantic, and senior representatives from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL). The event also featured the unveiling of the airline’s dedicated check-in counters within the new terminal, and a gesture of welcome to 24 departing passengers who received commemorative gifts. On arrival, 258 passengers aboard flight VS384 were greeted with cultural performances as they made landfall at Terminal 1.
Virgin Atlantic becomes the second British airline to occupy Terminal 1, following national carrier British Airways which initiated operations there just yesterday. The move reflects MACL’s ambition: to ensure “the most comprehensive and highest-quality service” for all airlines serving the Maldives.
Terminal 1 currently serves 14 international carriers, a figure that may increase as operations evolve. The facility is part of a broader airport expansion project valued at approximately US $1 billion, designed to more than double passenger capacity and modernise the country’s aviation gateway. The terminal’s launch has been described as pivotal in supporting the Maldives’ tourism-led economy, which is highly sensitive to global connectivity.
For travellers to the Maldives, this shift implies streamlined operations: more check-in counters, enhanced baggage handling, improved immigration flows and direct boarding bridges — amenities designed to reflect the destination’s reputation for luxury and ease.
From MACL’s perspective, the arrival of Virgin Atlantic underscores the airport’s growing appeal to long-haul markets and reinforces its strategic direction: to stand not just as an entry point, but as a globally competitive aviation node in the Indian Ocean.
The new operational phase at Terminal 1 not only elevates passenger experience but also aligns with the Maldives’ broader push to reinforce tourism infrastructure ahead of future growth.
