Velana International Airport (VIA) has served more than 4.1 million passengers in the first six months of 2025, marking a 4% year-on-year increase, according to the latest figures released by Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
From January to June, 2,669,969 passengers traveled on international routes, while domestic flights carried 579,079 passengers. Seaplane transfers — a key component of the Maldives’ tourism sector — accounted for 859,797 passengers during the same period.
The busiest day for the airport so far this year was January 4, when a record 26,658 passengers passed through VIA. Seaplane operations saw their highest daily traffic on February 16, with 7,439 passengers taking off from the terminal’s waterfront.
Air traffic movements (ATMs) also registered a healthy rise, climbing 7% compared to last year. A total of 124,665 flight movements were recorded in the first half of the year, including 17,614 international flights, 14,110 domestic flights, and 92,941 seaplane movements.
Cargo handling experienced similar growth, with 34,000 tonnes cleared between January and June — a 6% increase from the same period in 2024.
MACL attributes part of this upward trend to the recent expansion of VIA’s facilities. The airport’s new passenger terminal, inaugurated last month, is designed to handle up to 7 million passengers annually, significantly enhancing operational capacity. Industry stakeholders expect the improved infrastructure to drive further growth in tourist arrivals and transit traffic in the coming years.
VIA remains the primary gateway to the Maldives, connecting the island nation to over 30 international destinations and serving as a critical hub for the country’s tourism-driven economy.
