Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has held its Winter Readiness 2026/2027 Kickoff Meeting as preparations intensify at Velana International Airport (VIA) for the upcoming peak tourism season, during which the Maldives is expecting a significant increase in visitor arrivals.
The meeting brought together airport teams to review operational priorities, identify potential challenges and strengthen coordination between departments responsible for ensuring the smooth movement of passengers and aircraft.
According to MACL, the discussions focused on measures needed to maintain efficient airport operations during the winter travel period, when international flight activity and passenger traffic traditionally increase.
Particular attention was given to addressing operational difficulties that could arise during the busiest months and identifying ways for departments to support one another in managing increased demand.
The meeting comes as the Maldives prepares for one of its most important periods for tourism, with winter holidays and seasonal travel contributing to higher visitor numbers from major international markets.
Velana International Airport, the country’s main international aviation gateway, experiences increased pressure on its passenger processing facilities, security operations and aircraft handling services during this period.
MACL revealed that the airport handled 17,746 flight operations during the previous winter peak season, highlighting the scale of activity involved in managing the seasonal influx of travellers.
With high tourist arrivals projected for the 2026/2027 winter season, the airport operator said it is continuing its annual efforts to improve service delivery and reduce delays during periods of heavy traffic.
As part of these preparations, additional check-in counters and remote gates have been incorporated into the terminal’s operational arrangements to increase passenger handling capacity.
The company has also expanded the capacity of its screening machinery, allowing security and passenger screening procedures to be carried out more efficiently.
Meanwhile, work is underway to establish dedicated electronic immigration gates, commonly known as e-gates, which are intended to streamline immigration clearance for eligible passengers.
The improvements form part of the airport operator’s wider efforts to accommodate growing passenger demand while maintaining safety, security and service standards.
Winter is traditionally a particularly busy period for the Maldivian tourism industry, with increased international travel during the final months of the year and the beginning of the following year.
As the primary entry point for international visitors, Velana International Airport plays a central role in supporting the country’s tourism sector, making effective coordination between airport departments especially important during the peak season.
MACL said the winter readiness meeting was intended to ensure that relevant teams are aligned on their responsibilities and prepared to respond to operational challenges as passenger and flight movements increase.
The company continues to introduce operational improvements ahead of each winter season, with the latest preparations aimed at maintaining efficient airport services throughout the anticipated travel rush.
