Since July 2025, Terminal 1 has slowly opened in stages
The opening of Terminal 1 at the Maldives’ main airport, Velana International Airport, has been rolled out in phases following its official inauguration in July 2025. Here are the latest changes and what you can expect from the experience.
Arrivals at Terminal 1
Velana International Airport’s new Terminal 1 spreads across 78,000 sqm (839,585 sq ft). The original, and much smaller, Terminal 1 building has been renamed Terminal 2. All international flights now operate from Terminal 1.
For the first time in the Maldives, the new terminal now has seven jetbridges that can connect the terminal directly to aircraft. Eventually, 12-15 jetbridges will become fully operational. Previously, all passengers had to disembark via mobile boarding stairs.
The latest estimates suggest it takes an average of 75 – 90 minutes at peak times between disembarking your plane, passing through Immigration, Customs, and Baggage Claim, and getting to the Arrivals Hall.
Departures from Terminal 1
Surprisingly, Terminal 1’s Departure Area is still only accessible three hours before your international flight (after check-in desks open). This is causing a bottleneck, because passengers waiting outside Terminal 1 Departures with their luggage trolleys are blocking the way of passengers navigating their way to Terminal 2 with their trolleys.
Terminal 1 now has Velana International Airport’s first international departure lounge – the Koveli Lounge. It opened in September 2025 and is for Business and First Class passengers. Travellers should note that it does not have a liquor licence.
Seaplane transfers
The seaplane check-in desks are now located at Terminal 1. This means you can now comfortably check-in for your seaplane flight in a cool, air-conditioned environment. It’s a major improvement on the previous check-in location at Terminal 2, which gets incredibly hot because it’s semi-open-air. Passengers flying from cold climates (major markets for the Maldives) who haven’t had time to change their clothes before arrival in the Maldives will be particularly grateful for this change.
After you land, you’re greeted at Arrivals by an airport representative from your resort, guesthouse or tour operator. They will guide you to the new seaplane check-in counters at Terminal 1.
If you’re travelling independently, you should still find it easy to locate the seaplane counters without help. They are on the right after you’ve entered the Arrivals Hall (having passed through Immigration and Customs).
You then need to proceed to the seaplane terminals for access the seaplane lounges or private resort lounges while you wait for your flight. Your airport representative will guide you to a minibus or resort vehicle. It takes around 10 minutes to drive from Terminal 1 to the other side of the island, where the seaplane terminals are located next to the water aerodrome.
Speedboat transfers
If you’re going to a resort or guesthouse by speedboat, they will send a representative to meet you at Terminal 1 Arrivals. They will then guide you from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, where speedboat check-in counters are located. The check-in counters for speedboat services to inhabited islands are also located at Terminal 2. It’s a 10-15 minute walk along the Airport Main Road, but your airport representative can help you with your luggage. If you have mobility issues, let them know in advance.
Domestic transfers
The Domestic Terminal remains in the same location. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from Terminal 2, although this can be 15-20 minutes’ walk from the new Terminal 1. If you’re transferring between the international airport and the Domestic Terminal, then your resort, guesthouse or tour operator’s airport representative will assist you with your luggage.
Food and drink
The food and drink options at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are fairly limited, and the queues can be long. Terminal 1 currently only has two small dining outlets (landside), with seating for no more than 15 people.
However, there are more dining options in the concourse area outside Terminal 2. These cafes and restaurants opened long before Terminal 1 was built, and remain fully operational. The entire airport is still a ‘dry zone’ (no alcohol is available, except for purchase from Duty Free for consumption when you get home).
If you have a long layover and want a drink, or arrive at the airport more than three hours before your flight home, we recommend heading to the only hotel on the island, Hulhule Island Hotel (HIH). It’s about 0.8 miles (1.3km) from Terminal 1. There is a free shuttle bus service from the airport if you don’t want to walk that far with your luggage (the road can get very hot in the daytime).
Our favourite spot at HIH is by the pool, but there’s also an air-conditioned restaurant and a bar indoors. You can purchase a pool pass on arrival at the hotel.
Ruth Franklin, co-founder of the sustainable cultural experiences tour operator, Secret Paradise Maldives, spoke to Manta Media Maldives about her experience of the new terminal. She recently flew home to the Maldives from the UK. “It was lovely to take in the amazing view – what a welcome for anyone arriving in the Maldives,” Ruth said. “It is an impressive new gateway to the Maldives, and with a few refinements, it will no doubt live up to its full potential.
“As with any new development of this scale, there are naturally some teething problems, particularly around passenger flow and congestion at peak times. I am confident, however, that Maldives Airports Company Ltd will be closely reviewing and analysing these aspects, and that improvements will be made to enhance the overall traveller experience”.
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