National Airline Opens New Seaplane Terminal at Velana International Airport

National airline Maldivian officially inaugurated its brand new, state of the art seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport to keep pace with rising tourist arrival volumes across the archipelago. The opening comes as the flag carrier recorded over 1.2 million passengers transported across its expanding domestic seaplane network. The new facility features upgraded passenger lounges, streamlined check in zones, and direct boarding access to better handle peak resort transfer operations. Aviation officials highlighted that the facility will significantly enhance transit efficiency for international visitors transferring directly from long haul flights to outer atoll luxury resorts. The terminal expansion represents a major milestone in the ongoing multi-million dollar modernization of Velana International Airport. Island Aviation Services confirmed that the dedicated infrastructure will accommodate additional twin otter seaplanes joining the national fleet over the coming months. Resort operators have welcomed the development as a crucial improvement for guest transfer experiences during peak travel seasons. The government emphasized that expanding domestic aviation capacity remains central to decentralizing tourism growth across remote island groups