Velana International Airport’s Terminal 1 has begun serving the luxury airline Beyond. Currently, VIA’s Passenger Terminal 1 serves the national airline Maldivian and Air Arabia. A special ceremony was held today at Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport to inaugurate services for Beyond, the world’s first all-premium or high-end travel-focused airline. The ceremony was graced by the Minister at the President’s Office for Presidential Affairs, Ali Arif.
At this ceremony, Beyond’s check-in counters were officially opened, and gifts were presented to 43 passengers departing on Beyond flights. A special water salute was given to Beyond’s first aircraft, B4091, which approached Terminal 1, and the 35 passengers who arrived in the Maldives on that flight were warmly welcomed with cultural activities.
The ceremony was attended by MACL board members, MACL CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, Mohamed Lamaan, Beyond’s General Manager Ibrahim Ahthar, and the airline’s Station Manager Hussain Fayaz.
Beyond is a luxury airline created through a collaboration between the Maldivian SIMDI Group and Arabex, an investment company founded by aviation industry experts. This airline was established with the aim of providing the highest level of air travel services targeting the luxury tourism market. Beyond’s aircraft have 44 business class seats. Terminal 1 of VIA was first used for the international flights of the national airline Maldivian. After Maldivian’s flight experience, the terminal was then opened to Air Arabia flights on the 13th of this month.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) stated that in a meeting held with their stakeholders and airline partners, discussions were held regarding the transfer of operations of 7 additional airlines, including Air Arabia and Beyond, to Terminal 1.
Additionally, MACL mentioned that during this meeting, airlines were provided with information about the process of transitioning to the new terminal and how operations can be fully carried out. According to MACL, four more airlines will be transferred to Terminal 1 within this month. Velana International Airport’s Terminal 1 was officially inaugurated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport is a modern terminal developed with numerous services. As such, the terminal’s departure hall has 47 check-in counters, and 6 self-service check-in kiosks have also been installed. Furthermore, 12 aerobridges have been established in this terminal.
