MACL redirects domestic traffic to old international terminal as part of airport restructuring

Domestic flight operations at Velana International Airport (VIA) have been relocated to the former international terminal, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced.

Under the change, which took effect on Tuesday, all vehicles transporting passengers for domestic flights must now drop them off at the old international terminal. Parking or unloading passengers in the area previously used as the domestic terminal is no longer permitted.

MACL said domestic passengers requiring taxi services should use the taxi queue at Terminal 1. The airport’s bus routes will remain unchanged.

The company urged all airport users to familiarise themselves with the new arrangements and plan their travel accordingly.

Domestic flights in the Maldives are operated by Maldivian, Manta Air, and Villa Air. The domestic terminal sees heavy use from Indian expatriates travelling between Malé and the atolls, as well as a significant number of tourists.

The new international terminal, designed to handle 7.5 million passengers annually, opened on July 26 last year.