Velana International Airport’s New Terminal Set to Transform Maldives Travel Experience

A new gateway to paradise is ready to welcome the world

The Maldives is preparing for a major leap in travel infrastructure with the unveiling of a new international terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA) on July 26, 2025. Confirmed by the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), this state-of-the-art facility is expected to ease the long-standing overcrowding challenges at the existing terminal, which has been operating far beyond its original 1.5 million passenger capacity.

Spanning 78,000 square metres, the terminal will accommodate up to 7 million passengers annually, with features such as jet bridges, advanced baggage systems, 38 immigration counters, 40 boarding gates, duty-free outlets, and premium lounges. The phased rollout will begin with Maldivian Airlines flights in late July, with all international carriers set to transition by September 2025.

For travellers, this upgrade means smoother arrivals and departures, quicker processing, and more comfort before heading to idyllic stays—whether at world-renowned retreats like Dusit Thani Maldives or any other luxury resort in Maldives.

As tourism continues to drive the nation’s economy, the new terminal stands as a critical milestone in reinforcing the Maldives’ reputation as one of the world’s most seamless and sought-after destinations.