VIA to open Terminal 2 for international check-in as Maldives enters peak tourism season
Velana International Airport (VIA) will begin international check-in operations at Terminal 2 from 25 October 2026, with ten airlines relocating their check-in services to the terminal for the winter season, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced.
The move will bring both passenger terminals at VIA into service for international travellers during one of the busiest periods for the Maldives’ tourism industry, providing additional check-in capacity and passenger handling facilities ahead of the winter travel season.
The ten airlines moving their check-in operations to Terminal 2 are Neos, Aeroflot, US-Bangla Airlines, Centrum Air, Azur Air, S7 Airlines (Siberia), Shirak Avia, Kuwait Airways, Gulliv Air and French Bee. The airlines will continue operating their check-in services from Terminal 2 throughout the winter season.
Terminal 2, which previously served as VIA’s international terminal, reopened in February 2026 following refurbishment and has since been handling all domestic flights.
The refurbished terminal features 27 check-in counters, upgraded baggage belts, food and beverage outlets, dedicated prayer rooms and a children’s play area. The addition of international check-in operations will allow the airport to make greater use of these facilities during the seasonal increase in passenger traffic.
MACL said the arrangement is intended to provide travellers with more space and check-in facilities while improving passenger flow through the airport.
The expansion comes as the Maldives prepares for its traditional peak tourism season, which generally runs from November to March, coinciding with winter holidays in major European source markets and the Christmas and New Year travel period. Tourist demand typically increases during these months, particularly between December and February, placing additional pressure on airport infrastructure and passenger handling operations.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation’s latest published figures, the Maldives recorded 1,651,506 tourist arrivals as of 14 October 2026, compared with 1,719,259 during the corresponding period in 2025, representing a decline of 3.9 per cent.
During the first 14 days of October, the country welcomed 79,529 tourists, down from 82,770 in the same period last year. The Maldives recorded 2,246,516 tourist arrivals in 2025, with the upcoming winter season expected to play an important role in the industry’s performance during the final months of 2026.
China remains the Maldives’ largest tourist source market this year, followed by Russia and the United Kingdom. These markets account for a substantial share of international visitor traffic, particularly during the winter travel season.
The introduction of international check-in services at Terminal 2 is expected to help VIA accommodate seasonal passenger demand by distributing check-in operations across both terminals.
MACL has advised passengers travelling with the ten designated airlines from 25 October onwards to proceed directly to Terminal 2 for check-in and allow sufficient time to complete departure formalities.
The airport operator said it remains committed to improving operational efficiency and passenger services as aviation and tourism activity continues to develop in the Maldives.
