The number of flights that have landed at Velana International Airport (VIA) has increased by 5.8%. Velana International Airport is a notably busy airport in this region. According to statistics released by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), the number of flights that landed at VIA during the first 5 months of this year has increased. During the same period last year, 7,193 flights landed at VIA. However, this year, this number has increased to 7,613.
The largest share of this increase is attributed to scheduled flights to the Maldives. The number of scheduled flights that arrived in the Maldives during this period has increased by 6.7%. During the first 5 months of last year, 6,523 scheduled flights arrived in the Maldives. However, statistics show that this year, during the same period, this number has increased to 6,961. This year, general flight movements have decreased. This category includes charter flights and private jets. During the same period last year, 670 such flights arrived in the Maldives. However, this year, 652 flights arrived during this period.
Many international airlines are operating scheduled flights to Velana International Airport. The number of flights is also being increased due to rising demand. This year, several new airlines have also commenced operations. The government is preparing to inaugurate VIA’s new passenger terminal on the 26th of this month. With this, it is expected that more airlines will begin operations to the Maldives, and flight frequencies will increase. This new terminal is a modern facility capable of serving 7 million passengers annually. This development will lead to an increase in the number of tourists arriving in the Maldives and further progress for the tourism sector.
