Velana International Airport (VIA) recorded a strong year in 2025, serving more than 8.3 million passengers, according to newly released statistics by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
Figures published by MACL show that the airport handled 8.28 million passengers last year, representing a 7 percent increase compared to 2024. The growth reflects continued recovery and expansion in both international and domestic air travel.
International passengers accounted for the largest share of traffic, with 5.38 million travellers passing through VIA on overseas routes. Domestic flights carried 1.17 million passengers, while seaplane services accounted for 1.73 million passengers, underlining the importance of inter-island connectivity to the country’s tourism sector.
Air traffic movements also increased during the year. VIA recorded 294,214 aircraft movements, an eight percent rise compared to the previous year. These included 34,868 international movements, 28,348 domestic movements, and a significant 185,998 seaplane movements, highlighting the heavy reliance on seaplanes for resort and island access.
The rise in passenger numbers coincided with a strong performance by the tourism sector. Government statistics show that the Maldives welcomed 2.25 million tourist arrivals in 2025, a 10 percent increase from 2024, generating an estimated USD 5.4 billion in tourism revenue.
MACL also reported record-breaking daily passenger volumes during the year. The highest daily throughput for wheel-based aircraft was recorded on December 28, when 27,381 passengers passed through the airport. Meanwhile, seaplane operations peaked on February 16, with 7,439 passengers handled in a single day.
Infrastructure upgrades at VIA also marked key milestones in 2025. The new passenger terminal was officially inaugurated on July 26, while the seaplane check-in area at the new terminal became operational on January 11, improving passenger flow and overall travel experience.
