Etihad Airways has launched services from the new terminal at Velana International Airport (VIA), marking another milestone in the expansion of airport operations.

A ceremony was held to commemorate the start of services, attended by Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu, Etihad’s Central Area Manager Rehan Mohamed Faiz, Airport Manager Munaz Ali, and senior officials from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).

As part of the celebration, check-in counters were officially opened and gifts were distributed to 305 departing passengers. The airline also organised a cultural event to welcome the 180 passengers arriving on its first flight to the new terminal.

Etihad Airways first began operating to the Maldives in November 2011. It is now the third UAE-based airline to move operations to the new VIA terminal, bringing the total number of airlines operating from the facility to 29, according to MACL.