Velana International Airport (VIA) has been named the Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport 2026 at the World Travel Awards, securing the regional title for the 13th time.
The award was presented during the World Travel Awards Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony held at CROSSROADS Maldives on Sunday, bringing together representatives from the travel, aviation and hospitality industries across the region.
Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) CEO and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed received the award on behalf of VIA.
The Maldives’ main international gateway competed for the title against Ivato International Airport in Madagascar, Roland Garros Airport in Réunion, Seychelles International Airport and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius.
This year’s win returns the regional title to VIA after Mauritius’ Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport was named Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport in 2025.
Shareef said the recognition reflected the work carried out by MACL employees as well as the contribution of partners involved in airport operations.
He said MACL remains focused on improving standards and the passenger experience while developing VIA into a modern and internationally competitive airport.
The latest recognition comes during one of the most significant periods of expansion in VIA’s history.
A new international passenger terminal opened on July 26, 2025, as part of the airport’s wider infrastructure development programme. The USD 585 million terminal significantly increased VIA’s passenger handling capacity and introduced upgraded facilities designed to accommodate the continued growth of the Maldives’ tourism industry.
The airport’s expansion has also included a new 3,400-metre Code F runway capable of accommodating large aircraft, including the Airbus A380. The runway became fully operational in 2022.
VIA is also home to the Noovilu Seaplane Terminal, which opened alongside the new runway in 2022 and has capacity to accommodate more than 55 seaplanes at a time.
The developments are intended to address capacity constraints at the country’s main aviation hub as tourist arrivals and international flight operations continue to grow.
Velana International Airport serves as the primary entry point for international visitors to the Maldives and plays a central role in connecting travellers arriving in the capital with resorts and other destinations across the archipelago through domestic flights, seaplanes and speedboat transfers.
The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to recognise organisations and destinations across the global travel and tourism industry.
The 2026 Asia, Oceania & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony was held in the Maldives on September 27, coinciding with World Tourism Day.
The Maldives also secured several other regional titles at this year’s awards, including Indian Ocean’s Leading Destination, Leading Dive Destination, Leading Green Destination and Leading Honeymoon Destination.
