Saudia begins operations from VIA’s new terminal

Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia has officially begun operating from the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), becoming the 11th airline to launch services from the new terminal.

A special ceremony was held yesterday to mark the occasion, attended by Minister of State for Tourism Mohamed Nashaath Rasheed, along with Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives Yahya Hassan Alqahtani, Saudia Manager for Maldives, India and Sri Lanka Essam A. Al-Habsi, Saudia Operations Manager for Maldives, Sri Lanka and Pakistan Saad Alsaleh, and senior MACL officials.

Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, has become the first Saudi Arabian carrier to begin operations from VIA's new terminal.

The first Saudia flight (SV838) to arrive at the new terminal was welcomed with traditional Maldivian cultural performances. The flight carried 127 passengers.

Saudia, which first launched flights to the Maldives on March 30, 2016, now joins a growing list of airlines operating from Terminal 1, including:

The new terminal, constructed at a cost of USD 457 million (MVR 7 billion), opened on July 26.

It is expected to significantly boost MACL’s revenue by 7-8 percent in its first year and 15 percent the following year through expanded duty free operations and increased airline capacity during peak hours.