Velana International Airport (VIA)'s new passenger terminal, Terminal 1, has officially commenced providing services to Aeroflot, the national airline of Russia.

To mark the inauguration of Aeroflot services from Terminal 1, a special ceremony was held at the terminal today. The event was graced by the Principal Secretary to the President on Policy and Manifesto, Mr. Hussain Fahmy.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, CEO and Managing Director of MACL (Maldives Airports Company Limited); Mr. Evgeny Ratushny, Aeroflot's General Manager in the Maldives; Mr. Alexey M. Idamkin, the Consul General of the Russian Federation to the Maldives; along with other officials from Aeroflot and senior management and officials from MACL.

MACL stated that to mark the commencement of Aeroflot services from Terminal 1, the airline's counters were officially opened today. Gifts were presented to 133 departing passengers of Aeroflot. Furthermore, 384 passengers who arrived in the Maldives on Aeroflot's first flight to the terminal, SU-320, were warmly welcomed with cultural activities.

Aeroflot is Russia's largest airline. The airline began its flights to the Maldives on August 4, 1994.

With Aeroflot, Terminal 1 now provides services to a total of 39 airlines. MACL's objective is to deliver the most comprehensive and highest standard of service to all airlines operating to the Maldives.