SriLankan Airlines has commenced operations from the new passenger terminal, Terminal 1, at Velana International Airport, marking another step in the gradual transition of airlines to the upgraded facility.
A special ceremony was held at Terminal 1 to mark the start of the airline’s operations from the new terminal. The event was attended by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassen, along with SriLankan Airlines Country Manager Nayomi Thenakoon and senior officials from Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
As part of the opening, SriLankan Airlines’ check-in counters at Terminal 1 were officially opened. Gifts were presented to 115 departing passengers travelling on the airline, while a welcoming programme with cultural activities was organised for the 277 passengers arriving on flight UL101, the first SriLankan Airlines flight to operate from the new terminal.
SriLankan Airlines is the second Sri Lankan carrier to begin services from Terminal 1. The national carrier first started operating flights to the Maldives on 1 September 1979, maintaining a long-standing presence in the market.
With the addition of SriLankan Airlines, Terminal 1 is now serving 33 airlines. MACL has said its objective is to provide a high standard of service and facilities to all airlines operating to the Maldives as operations continue to expand at the new terminal.
