British Airways Commences Operations from VIA’s New Terminal 1

British Airways has officially begun operating from the newly opened Terminal 1 at Velana International Airport (VIA), becoming the first European airline to move its services to the state-of-the-art passenger terminal.

A special ceremony was held today to mark the commencement of British Airways’ operations from Terminal 1. The event was graced by the Acting British High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Taufeeq Wahab, and attended by British Airways’ Airport Manager Mohamed Nihan, alongside senior officials from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

During the ceremony, British Airways’ check-in counters were officially inaugurated, and gifts were distributed to the 126 passengers departing on the inaugural flight. The first British Airways aircraft to dock at Terminal 1—flight BA061—arrived from London with 122 passengers, who were greeted with a warm Maldivian welcome featuring traditional cultural performances.

British Airways, the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, began its scheduled flights to the Maldives on 26 October 2009. Its relocation to Terminal 1 marks a significant milestone in VIA’s operational expansion and reinforces the Maldives’ position as a leading luxury travel destination for European tourists.

With British Airways now operating from Terminal 1, a total of 13 airlines are providing services from the new terminal. MACL stated that this development reflects its continued commitment to delivering world-class facilities and exceptional service standards to both airlines and passengers.

According to MACL, the integration of global carriers like British Airways into Terminal 1 operations underscores the company’s vision of transforming VIA into a premier aviation hub in the region, enhancing connectivity and passenger experience in line with international standards.