Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has confirmed the resignation of Deputy Managing Director Lamman, who has stepped down to take up a position at another company. The leadership change coincides with heightened scrutiny over MACL’s rapidly expanding responsibilities under President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration. The company has been tasked with delivering a wide range of government‑assigned projects that extend far beyond airport operations. These include: Reclam

Private jet arrivals to the Maldives saw a sharp rise this March, with movements increasing from the usual monthly average of around 80 to nearly 190, according to Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen. The surge comes amid continued instability and airspace disruptions in the Middle East, a region that serves as a major transit hub for long‑haul travellers heading to the Maldives. Industry observers say the conflict‑related closures and commercial flight cancellations have prompt

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is facing heightened public scrutiny over the number of political appointees employed by the state‑owned enterprise, their salaries, and the nature of their roles. Political appointments within state‑owned enterprises (SOEs) have been a persistent governance concern in the Maldives, as these roles are typically filled outside the competitive civil service system and are often linked to the administration in power. The issue has dra

The Maldives Customs Service has seized more than 2.1 kilograms of illegal substances smuggled into the country through Velana International Airport (VIA). The interception was made on April 1, during routine inspections of inbound passengers and cargo. According to Customs, officers discovered 2,174 grams of the substance concealed within an arriving consignment. Preliminary testing identified it as a narcotic preparation, and the case has since been handed over to the relev

Addu City, Maldives – Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has officially commenced preparations to introduce an international-standard Duty-Free operation at the new terminal of Gan International Airport in Addu City, marking a major step in transforming the southern region’s gateway into a competitive player in global air travel. The new retail venture is designed to significantly enhance passenger experience while expanding premium shopping services beyond the Greater

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has presented its annual Merit Award to four top performing students from the Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE), recognising academic excellence and supporting the development of future leaders. The MACL Merit Award, introduced under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, is presented each year to the highest achieving Grade 11 students. This year’s ceremony was held during a special assembly at CHSE,

After weeks of disruption caused by regional instability in the Middle East, Qatar Airways has officially confirmed that it will resume flights between Doha and the Maldives. The announcement brings relief to travelers and tourism operators alike, who have felt the impact of suspended air corridors since tensions escalated in the region. The airline’s flagship route, connecting Hamad International Airport (DOH) with Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé, is scheduled to

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has inspected the ongoing land reclamation works at Giraavaru Falhu, a major national development project aimed at expanding land availability and easing housing pressures in the Greater Male’ region. The President was received at the site by Cabinet Ministers, senior officials from the President’s Office, and the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, along with members

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has introduced a revised traffic flow system at Velana International Airport, effective today, to improve accessibility and ease of movement for passengers using Terminal 2. Beginning at 10:00 AM on 25 March 2026, the area directly in front of Terminal 2 has been formally designated as a dedicated drop‑off and pick‑up zone. MACL says the change is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the passenger experience and streamline ground transpo

A Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) vehicle overturned on the Male’ – Hulhumale’ highway after crashing into the bridge‑side fencing, leaving two people injured and receiving medical treatment. Images widely shared on social media show the small white truck flipped onto its side near the roadside barrier. According to the Maldives Police Service, the incident occurred while the vehicle was travelling from Hulhumale’ toward Velana International Airport. The vehicle stru

The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has increased the price of jet fuel sold to aircraft, citing rising international oil prices and higher import costs. The adjustment marks one of the steepest single‑step increases in recent years and reflects the broader volatility in global energy markets. MACL Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef confirmed that the new selling price for jet fuel is USD 1.69 per litre, up from USD 1.19. The 50‑cent jump represents a 42% increase, im

Flight disruptions at Velana International Airport are set to continue into a fourth consecutive day, with 15 flights scheduled for tomorrow now cancelled as airspace closures linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict persist. The cancellations once again affect major Middle Eastern carriers, including Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Air Arabia, which together operate the bulk of long‑haul connections to the Maldives. The cancellations follow several da

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has issued a revised circular confirming that employees who work more than five hours during Ramadan will continue to receive overtime pay, reinstating the long‑standing practice followed in previous years. The move follows strong internal and public backlash to an earlier circular that indicated overtime would not be paid for work exceeding five hours during the holy month. That initial notice marked a clear departure from previous ye

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced revised working hour arrangements for Velana International Airport (VIA) during Ramadan 1447 and the first seven days of Shawwal, introducing a shorter daily schedule for administrative staff while significantly changing how overtime pay will be calculated for the wider workforce. Under the new directive, administrative employees will work 4 hours and 30 minutes per day, with official hours set from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. A

Airlines operating at Velana International Airport (VIA) say they were not given the advance notice required to prepare for the planned relocation of domestic operations to Terminal 2 today. Sources told Aviators Maldives that airlines did not receive clear timelines, operational details, or the standard preparation period normally provided for a terminal change. The information shared before the move was described as minimal, leaving teams with almost no time to organise sta

Velana International Airport (VIA) is preparing to relocate all domestic flight operations to the refurbished Terminal 2, marking a major operational shift under Maldives Airports Company Limited’s (MACL) ongoing airport development program. The move follows structural upgrades and systems integration work to repurpose the former international terminal for domestic passenger handling. Once the transition is activated, all domestic departures and arrivals will move from the ex

Greater Bay Airlines of Hong Kong has begun charter operations to the Maldives, marking another expansion of the country’s air connectivity with East Asia. The airline’s inaugural service, flight HB2500, arrived at Velana International Airport yesterday, where it was welcomed with a traditional water salute. A total of 174 passengers travelled on the first flight. Greater Bay Airlines will operate direct charter flights between Hong Kong and Malé using the Boeing 737 MAX, add

Velana International Airport (VIA) recorded a strong year in 2025, handling 8.28 million passengers, a 7% increase compared to the previous year. The growth reflects continued demand across international, domestic, and seaplane operations, supported by rising tourist arrivals and improved inter‑island connectivity. Of the total passenger volume, 5.38 million were international travellers, underscoring VIA’s role as the Maldives’ primary gateway. Domestic traffic reached 1.17

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) is one of the strongest and most profitable state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in the Maldives. Its financial performance, anchored by the operation of Velana International Airport has consistently placed it at the top among SOEs. However, over the course of 2025, MACL embarked on an unusually broad and intensive investment programme aligned with government development priorities. The scale, speed, and diversity of these commitments repres

Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has implemented a revised fee structure for vehicles operating inside Velana International Airport (VIA). According to MACL, the new fee structure is based on the COE framework, which requires all vehicles operating within designated airport zones to obtain a COE permit. Under this system, MACL has introduced two categories of fees: 1. Operational Vehicles Standard rate: USD 3,000 per year No discounts available 2. Premium Vehicles Sta