Check-ins for 10 international airlines shift to VIA’s domestic terminal ahead of winter travel surge

Check-in operations for 10 international airlines are set to get shifted to the domestic terminal at the Velana International Airport (VIA) next week, in preparation of a surge in travel during winter.

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) announced on Wednesday that VIA’s Terminal 2 – the former international passenger terminal that now serves as the domestic terminal – will accommodate international check-in operations of 10 airlines from October 25 onwards.

According to MACL, the decision was made in preparation of the upcoming winter season, and brings both of VIA’s passenger terminals into service for international travelers during the busiest months of the tourism year, giving passengers more space, more check-in counters and a smoother start to their journey.

From October 25, passengers travelling with Neos, Aeroflot, US-Bangla Airlines, Centrum Air, Azur Air, S7 Airlines (Siberia), Shirak Avia, Kuwait Airways, Gulliv Air and French Bee will check in at Terminal 2, which will continue to serve these airlines throughout the season.

Terminal 2, the airport’s former international terminal, reopened in February following extensive refurbishment and now serves all domestic flights. It offers 27 check-in counters, new baggage belts, food and beverage outlets, dedicated prayer rooms and a children’s play area. MACL states that international check-in will now make full use of these upgraded facilities when they are needed most.

MACL advises passengers from the 10 airlines to proceed directly to Terminal 2 for check-in and allow sufficient time for departure formalities from October 25 onwards.

As VIA continues to grow alongside the Maldives’ aviation and tourism sectors, MACL states that it remains committed to delivering a safe, efficient and welcoming airport experience for passengers from around the world.

The new international passenger terminal at the VIA, which opened to fireworks on July 26, 2026, is expected to eventually accommodate up to 7.5 million passengers annually.

The Maldives welcomed a record 2.2 million tourist arrivals last year. The island destination, which won the award for the World Travel Awards (WTA) World's Leading Destination for the sixth consecutive year in 2025, has been hit with a decline in visitors due to travel disruptions amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

However, Tourism Minister Mohamed Ameen expects visitor numbers to pick up in winter, estimating that arrivals will not drop below last year’s record numbers.