The Malaysian cargo airline, Raya Airways has launched scheduled freighter services to Velana Airport, signaling substantial growth in the expansion of the airport’s regional cargo connectivity. 

Each aircraft movement offers an average payload capacity of 46 tonnes, allowing this to be the first scheduled widebody freighter operations handled by Velana International Airport, in the Boeing 767-200, which is operated by Raya Airways on the route.

While MLE has previously managed charter freighter flights in the region, Raya Airways scheduled charter operations now establish a reliable cargo capacity connecting Southeast Asia with the Maldives. Moreover, this new route provides MLE with currently it’s first connection to Penang (PEN) and it’s first scheduled freighter services with Malaysia, in a routinely based manner.

An estimate of 80-90% of cargo transported on the service is expected to be transshipment, as a result strengthening the airport’s role as a connecting cargo hub and offering shippers with alternative access to the major markets.

Raya Airways has now become the second scheduled freighter operator in MLE’s expanding freighter network, this strengthens the MLE’s position as a transshipment gateway in the Indian ocean as it reflects MACL’s continued efforts to attract new operators, alongside diversify cargo routes. 

MLE has reportedly handled 3,228 tonnes of freighter cargo across 390 freighter movements, from between January to July 2026. This operation connecting the airport Bengaluru, Chennai, Yangon, Colombo, Bangkok, Dubai, and Hanoi. 

In the year 2025, the MLE more than 4,300 tonnes of freighter cargo across 518 freighter movements, which points towards substantial growth.