Here’s all you need to know about the changes at the Maldives’ busiest airport
A much-needed new terminal has opened at Velana International Airport, designed to handle 7.5 million passengers annually. The new Terminal 1 replaces the 40-year-old infrastructure that was struggling to deal with the massive increase in visitors that the Maldives has seen. A record-breaking 2 million tourists visited the Maldives in 2024, compared to around 100,000 in the early days of tourism. While many in the tourism industry still fondly remember the traditional sandy floors and sun umbrellas outside the tiny original terminal (which has now been renamed ‘Terminal 2’), there is universal relief to see the new Terminal 1 finally open. Here’s everything you need to know about the improvements at Velana International Airport.
Velana International Airport (airport code MLE) is sometimes also referred to as Male’ International Airport, although it’s not in Male’. It’s located on the island of Hulhule, which is joined by a bridge to the capital city-island of Male’ and by a causeway to the artificial island of Hulhumale.
The airport’s new, bigger Termimal 1 was inaugurated by Maldivan President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on July 26th to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Maldives’ independence.
At 72,000sqm, it now has space for 12 passenger boarding bridges. So, if your flight arrives at Terminal 1, you’ll no longer have to walk down portable metal steps on arrival whilst feeling as if your jeans are on fire amidst the high humidity (or have to change in the plane bathroom before arrival). The first passengers already transited through Terminal 1 on inauguration day via the Maldives’ national flag carrier, Maldivian. However, not all airlines fly into Terminal 1 yet because the opening of the new terminal is phased. Phase 2 will see narrow-body aircraft landing at Terminal 1. And for Phase 3, it is hoped all international flights will fly to Terminal 1 by late October.
There will be 47 regular and 24 dedicated seaplane check-in counters at Terminal 1, although they are not yet operational. In the meantime, the existing seaplane check-in counters will remain just outside the newly-renamed Terminal 2 (the original airport building). You are able to temporarily access them via a passageway adjacent to Coffee Club and Burger King, until they open in the new Terminal 1. Terminal 1’s new lounges are not operational yet either, but are expected to open soon. However, rather like a handful of airports in the Middle East, the new lounges are not expected to start to offer any alcoholic beverages to passengers, even in premium lounges.
The new Terminal 1 features an advanced baggage handling system with real-time tracking. But it’s the enhanced and expanded immigration area that will probably have the biggest impact on speeding up your arrival and departure experience. There are now also e-gates, as well as 41 elevators, 14 escalators, and four travellators.
The design of the new airport terminal takes inspiration from the colours and patterns of the Maldives’ famed beaches and lagoons.
CEO & MD of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, Ibrahim Shiuree, said: “The inauguration of the new passenger terminal at Velana International Airport marks a pivotal moment for Maldivian tourism.
“This state-of-the-art facility significantly enhances the traveller experience and directly supports our strategic goals of diversifying tourism offerings and reaching new markets. It will undoubtedly elevate the Maldives’ position as a premier global destination”.
You may also be interested in: Insider guide: Why fly to the Maldives’ remotest atolls?
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