Velana International Airport is expected to handle over 22,000 passengers today, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has confirmed.
The year-end period is the peak travel season for Maldivian tourists, driven by holiday travel and increased Umrah trips. MACL said this is the busiest period since the opening of the new airport terminal.
Statistics from MACL indicate that more than 11,000 passengers are scheduled to depart, while over 11,100 are expected to arrive. The company has introduced special measures to manage high passenger volumes, with staff on hand to assist travellers.
MACL highlighted that the new terminal will enhance the passenger experience despite the busy period. Currently, 39 airlines operate flights to the Maldives, with all carriers planned to move to the new terminal by the end of the year.
Tourism figures continue to show growth. Over 2.2 million visitors have arrived in the Maldives so far this year, marking a 9.9% increase compared to the same period last year. According to the Tourism Ministry, 2,213,795 tourists had visited by 27 December, up from 2,014,577 in 2024. In the first 27 days of December, 191,734 tourists visited, representing an 8.4% increase over the same period last year.
