Maldivian A330 to be first flight at new terminal

Services at the new terminal of Velana International Airport are set to commence. The inaugural operation will feature national airline Maldivian’s A330 wide-body aircraft, which will be the first to be served at the new facility.

Maldivian Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas said that passengers arriving on this afternoon flight from Cochin to Male' will be received at the new terminal.

Flight crew on this flight are dressed in traditional Maldivian dress.

The flight is scheduled to land at 2pm this afternoon. After this, the new terminal will be providing service to all Maldivian airline flights.

The new terminal will be gradually incorporating other airlines into their operations as well, will the target being to cater to all airlines at the new terminal by September.

Development of the new terminal, which began nine years, cost USD 457 million (MVR 7 billion). With the new terminal coming into operation, it is estimated that service can now be extended to 7.5 million passengers annually.

The new terminal was inaugurated last night at a festive ceremony held by MACL with fireworks and a drone show.