Velana International Airport has reported a strong performance in 2025, serving a total of 8.28 million passengers, reflecting a seven percent increase compared to the previous year and reinforcing its position as the primary international gateway to Maldives. Figures released by Maldives Airports Company Limited indicate that international travel continues to drive overall growth, with 5.38 million international passengers passing through the airport during the year, highlighting sustained global demand for the Maldives as a preferred tourism and travel destination.
Domestic travel also maintained a solid upward trajectory, with 1.17 million passengers recorded across domestic routes, reflecting increasing mobility between islands and atolls. In addition, the country’s extensive seaplane network served 1.73 million passengers, underlining the importance of air-based inter-island transfers in supporting resort operations and enhancing access to remote destinations. The continued strength of seaplane services plays a critical role in connecting international arrivals with luxury resorts and island communities, contributing to the seamless travel experience that has become a hallmark of Maldivian tourism.
Operational activity at VIA reached new highs during the year, with the airport recording its busiest day on 28 December 2024, when 27,381 passengers passed through the terminal. Seaplane operations also achieved a single-day peak on 16 February, serving 7,439 passengers, demonstrating the scale and efficiency of the country’s integrated air transport system. These milestones reflect both rising visitor numbers and the airport’s ability to manage high volumes while maintaining service standards.
Air traffic movements across VIA totaled 249,214 in 2025, representing an eight percent increase compared to the previous year. This comprised 34,868 international flights, 28,348 domestic flights, and 185,998 seaplane flights, illustrating balanced growth across all segments of aviation activity. The expansion in flight movements aligns closely with rising tourist arrivals and continued improvements in inter-island connectivity, supporting the broader development of the tourism sector and related industries.
MACL attributes this positive performance to sustained growth in global travel demand to the Maldives, alongside strategic investments aimed at enhancing airport capacity and operational efficiency. Ongoing infrastructure development projects at VIA are expected to further strengthen its ability to accommodate future growth, improve passenger experience, and support the country’s long-term tourism and economic objectives.
The upward trend in passenger numbers and flight activity underscores the Maldives’ strong position in the global travel market and highlights VIA’s central role in facilitating tourism, trade, and connectivity. As international interest in the Maldives continues to expand, the airport’s growing capacity and operational resilience are set to play an increasingly important role in supporting the nation’s vision for sustainable and high-quality tourism development.
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