Raya Airways begins twice-weekly freighter flights to Velana International Airport

Malaysian carrier Raya Airways began scheduled freighter services between Penang and Velana International Airport (MLE) on Thursday, opening the airport's first regular cargo link with Malaysia, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) said.

The service operates twice a week using Boeing 767-200 freighters. According to MACL, each flight offers an average cargo payload of about 46 tonnes. The company said it is the first scheduled widebody freighter operation to MLE.

The flights are chartered by Teleport, a Southeast Asian logistics provider, with Raya Airways operating the aircraft.

First scheduled link with Malaysia

MLE has handled charter freighter flights from Southeast Asia before. MACL said the Raya Airways service is the first that is both scheduled and regular, giving shippers dedicated capacity on the route rather than one-off charters.

Around 80 to 90 percent of the cargo carried is expected to be transshipment cargo, according to MACL. That means most goods will pass through Malé on the way to other markets rather than entering the Maldivian economy.

The airport company said the traffic strengthens MLE's role as a connecting cargo hub and gives exporters and importers alternative routes to global markets.

Second scheduled freighter operator

Raya Airways is the second scheduled freighter operator in MLE's network. MACL said the addition reflects its efforts to attract new operators, diversify cargo connectivity and develop Velana International Airport as a transshipment gateway.

Freight volumes at the airport have been modest by regional standards. MACL figures show MLE handled 3,228 tonnes of freighter cargo across 390 freighter movements between January and July 2026. In 2025, the airport handled more than 4,300 tonnes across 518 movements.

Existing freighter operations connect Malé with Bengaluru, Chennai, Yangon, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai and Hanoi.

Context

The Maldives imports most of its food, construction materials and consumer goods, and depends on air and sea links for supply. Air cargo also carries time-sensitive exports, particularly fresh and chilled tuna, to markets in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Velana International Airport is the country's main international gateway and is undergoing a long-running expansion programme, including a new passenger terminal and upgraded cargo facilities.

MACL did not say how long the Penang service is contracted to run, or whether frequencies could increase. Raya Airways has not issued a separate public statement on the launch.