IndiGo Airlines has officially commenced operations from Terminal 1 of Velana International Airport (VIA) today, becoming the eighth airline to do so and notably the first Indian carrier to operate from the newly inaugurated terminal.

A special ceremony was held to mark the occasion, attended by Ahmed Faseeh, Controller General of Immigration, along with senior officials including Deputy Controller General Ahmed Ashfan, MACL Deputy Managing Director Mujthaba Latheef, India Maldives Chief Security Officer and Airport Manager Nikhil Verma, and representatives of Maldives Immigration and MACL.

IndiGo, India’s largest airline and the second-largest in Asia, first launched services to the Maldives on November 15, 2018.

As part of the launch, IndiGo opened its check-in counters at Terminal 1 and distributed gift bags to the 218 passengers departing on today’s outbound flight.

The inaugural arrival flight to the new terminal, 6E1127, carrying 229 passengers, was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute and traditional cultural performances.

With IndiGo’s move, the list of airlines now operating from Terminal 1 includes:

Maldivian

Air Arabia

Beyond

Fitz Air

Beijing Capital Airlines

Batik Air

Bangkok Airways

IndiGo

Terminal 1 officially opened on July 26, 2025, with Maldivian Airlines as the first operator.