Austrian Airlines quietly notched a strategic win for its long-haul network overnight when flight OS021 was processed through the brand-new Terminal 1 at Malé’s Velana International Airport. A short ribbon-cutting ceremony on 15 November (20:42 local time) was attended by Maldives Civil Aviation Authority director Fathimath Ramiza, Austrian Airlines station manager Robert Harvey and senior executives of Maldives Airports Company Ltd.
The move means all Austrian services between Vienna and Malé will now be handled in a purpose-built departures hall able to process 7 million passengers a year—more than double the capacity of the old international wing. For corporate travel managers in Austria, the upgrade promises faster immigration queues, dedicated business-class check-in islands and more early-morning lounge space during the winter charter peak, when Austrian’s weekly Boeing 777 rotation often departs at capacity.
![Austrian Airlines Becomes 23rd Carrier to Move Into Maldives’ New Terminal 1]()
Behind the scenes, the terminal’s biometric e-gates are connected to Maldives’ Advance Passenger Information System, cutting manual document checks to under 20 seconds. Austrian crews will also benefit from nose-in stand parking, eliminating apron bus transfers that can add 15-20 minutes to turn-around times.
Tourism officials in Vienna welcomed the development, noting that the Maldives is the second most-popular Indian-Ocean incentive destination for Austrian companies after Mauritius. Easier processing should translate into tighter itineraries and reduced duty-of-care exposure, particularly for short, three-night board retreats that hinge on reliable Sunday departures.
Looking ahead, Austrian Airlines said it is evaluating an additional weekly frequency for the 2026-27 winter season, contingent on aircraft availability and crew productivity gains realised at Terminal 1.
The move means all Austrian services between Vienna and Malé will now be handled in a purpose-built departures hall able to process 7 million passengers a year—more than double the capacity of the old international wing. For corporate travel managers in Austria, the upgrade promises faster immigration queues, dedicated business-class check-in islands and more early-morning lounge space during the winter charter peak, when Austrian’s weekly Boeing 777 rotation often departs at capacity.
Behind the scenes, the terminal’s biometric e-gates are connected to Maldives’ Advance Passenger Information System, cutting manual document checks to under 20 seconds. Austrian crews will also benefit from nose-in stand parking, eliminating apron bus transfers that can add 15-20 minutes to turn-around times.
Tourism officials in Vienna welcomed the development, noting that the Maldives is the second most-popular Indian-Ocean incentive destination for Austrian companies after Mauritius. Easier processing should translate into tighter itineraries and reduced duty-of-care exposure, particularly for short, three-night board retreats that hinge on reliable Sunday departures.
Looking ahead, Austrian Airlines said it is evaluating an additional weekly frequency for the 2026-27 winter season, contingent on aircraft availability and crew productivity gains realised at Terminal 1.
