Air India Marks 50 Years of Operations to the Maldives

Air India, India's national airline, celebrated 50 years of service to the Maldives on February 21, 2026. The milestone was marked with a special event at Velana International Airport (VIA), where Air India's flight from India was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. The first flight by Air India to the Maldives took place on February 21, 1976, making it the first Indian airline to operate services to the archipelago. Over the years, Air India has played a significant role in connecting the Maldives with India and other global destinations. On this special occasion, Air India's aircraft carried 139 passengers, who were greeted with Maldivian snacks and refreshments.