Sri Lankan Airlines Begins Operations at VIA’s New Passenger Terminal

Sri Lankan Airlines has commenced operations at the newly opened passenger terminal of Velana International Airport (VIA), marking a significant milestone in the terminal’s phased operational rollou...

Mohamed Hilmy

17 December 2025, 00:00

A special ceremony was held at Terminal 1 to mark the start of services for the Sri Lankan national carrier. The event was attended by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan; Sri Lankan Airlines Country Manager, Naomi Tenakoon; and senior officials of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

As part of the inaugural operations, Sri Lankan Airlines officially opened its check-in counters at Terminal 1 and presented gifts to 115 departing passengers. Meanwhile, 277 passengers arriving in the Maldives on the airline’s first flight operating from the new terminal—UL 101—were warmly welcomed with traditional cultural ceremonies.

Sri Lankan Airlines is the second airline from Sri Lanka to begin operations from Terminal 1.

The airline has maintained a long-standing presence in the Maldives, having launched flights to the country on September 1, 1979.

Rerminal 1 of Velana International Airport currently serves 33 airlines, reflecting its growing role as the main international gateway to the Maldives.

MACL has stated that it aims to deliver the highest quality services and operational efficiency to all airlines operating to and from the Maldives through the new terminal.

Sri Lankan Airlines Begins Operations at VIA’s New Passenger Terminal

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