Etihad Airways Begins Operations at Velana Airport’s New Terminal 1

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE and the country’s second-largest carrier, has begun operating from Velana International Airport’s new Terminal 1. The move was marked yesterday, makin...

Mohamed Hilmy

05 December 2025, 05:00

A ceremony was held to welcome the airline to Terminal 1, officiated by Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu, with senior officials from Etihad and MACL also in attendance. The first Etihad flight to arrive at the terminal brought 180 passengers, who were greeted with traditional cultural performances. On the outbound side, 305 departing passengers received special gifts to mark the occasion.

Etihad Airways has been flying to the Maldives since November 1, 2011, and is the 29th airline to shift to Terminal 1.

Terminal 1 is part of Velana International Airport’s major expansion project designed to handle a growing number of international travelers. Built to increase capacity and improve the overall passenger experience, the terminal features modern check-in areas, expanded security lanes, more spacious boarding gates and enhanced amenities to support the Maldives’ rising tourism demand. The addition of major global airlines like Etihad supports MACL’s goal of offering smoother operations and better service quality.

Etihad Airways Begins Operations at Velana Airport’s New Terminal 1

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