Velana International Airport (VIA) and the Maamahi Executive Lounge have been shortlisted for the World Travel Awards 2026, securing nominations in two prominent regional categories and further strengthening the Maldives’ standing across the international aviation, travel and tourism sectors.
Velana International Airport has been nominated for Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport 2026, placing the Maldives’ principal international gateway alongside leading airports from across the Indian Ocean region. The nomination continues VIA’s strong record at the World Travel Awards, having previously secured the regional title 12 times over the years and established a longstanding reputation for its contribution to international connectivity and the Maldivian tourism industry.
The Maamahi Executive Lounge has meanwhile been nominated for Indian Ocean’s Leading Airport Lounge 2026, recognising the premium passenger experience offered at Velana International Airport. Located within the airport’s dedicated CIP/VIP facility, Maamahi is designed to provide travellers with greater privacy, convenience and personalised service during both arrivals and departures. The facility offers private cabins, high-speed connectivity, real-time flight information, dedicated passenger assistance, baggage collection and clearance services, prayer facilities, family-friendly amenities and other services aimed at providing a smooth and comfortable airport experience.
The nomination is particularly significant for the Maldives as the quality of the arrival and departure experience at Velana International Airport is closely connected with the country’s wider premium tourism offering. For millions of international visitors, VIA represents their first introduction to the Maldives before travelling onward to resorts and other tourism destinations across the archipelago. High-quality airport infrastructure, efficient passenger services and premium lounge facilities therefore play an important role in complementing the service standards maintained by the country’s globally recognised resort industry.
Velana International Airport has undergone substantial infrastructure development in recent years, significantly expanding its ability to accommodate the continued growth of the Maldives’ tourism and aviation sectors. The opening of the new international passenger terminal in July 2025 substantially increased the airport’s passenger-handling capacity, with the facility designed to accommodate approximately 7.5 million passengers annually. Together with the new runway, expanded cargo infrastructure, seaplane facilities and improvements across passenger services, the development represents an important enhancement of the country’s primary international transport gateway.
The continued development of VIA also reflects the Government’s emphasis on strengthening strategic infrastructure that supports economic growth, international connectivity and the competitiveness of the Maldives as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations. Improved airport capacity provides greater opportunities for airlines to expand operations to the Maldives while supporting growing visitor volumes and creating a stronger foundation for the continued expansion of the country’s resort, hospitality and tourism sectors.
Managed and operated by the state-owned Maldives Airports Company Limited, Velana International Airport remains central to the country’s tourism-driven economy. Its strategic position connecting the Maldives with major markets across Asia, the Middle East and Europe makes the airport an important component of the country’s international tourism value chain. Continued investment in passenger experience and operational infrastructure is also supporting efforts to ensure that the quality of the Maldives’ aviation gateway develops alongside the high standards for which its resorts and hospitality sector are internationally recognised.
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards recognise excellence across the global travel, tourism, aviation and hospitality industries. The inclusion of both Velana International Airport and Maamahi Executive Lounge among the 2026 Indian Ocean nominees provides further international recognition for the Maldives’ aviation sector and the continued improvement of services offered to travellers.
Voting for the World Travel Awards 2026 is currently open. The dual nominations provide an opportunity for Velana International Airport and Maamahi Executive Lounge to secure further regional recognition while showcasing the Maldives’ continued progress in developing world-class aviation infrastructure, premium passenger services and a seamless gateway experience supporting the country’s globally renowned tourism industry.
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