Maldives has renamed Ibrahim Nasir International Airport, the main international airport in the country as Velana International Airport.

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom  inaugurated Velana International Airport, at a ceremony held at Hulhulé on Friday, 31st December 2016. During the ceremony the President lit the signboard of Velana International Airport,  officially inaugurating the airport.

During the event, Minister of Economic Development Mohamed Saeed handed over the Aerodrome license of Velana International Airport to the Maldives Airports Company Limited by the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority.

Ibrahim Nasir International Airport was renamed Velana International Airport in line with efforts by the administration to make the airport a gateway for future development and growth.

Maldivian airlines was the first flight to touch down at Velana International Airport.