Velana International Airport Handles 8.28 Million Passengers in 2025, Marking a 7% Growth

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 million passengers, while 1.73 million passengers were carried through the airport’s extensive seaplane network, one of the busiest in the world.

VIA also saw record‑breaking single‑day movements. The highest daily wheel‑based passenger count was recorded on 28 December 2024, with 27,381 passengers passing through the terminal. For seaplane operations, the busiest day was 16 February 2025, when 7,439 passengers were handled.

In terms of aircraft activity, the airport recorded 249,214 air traffic movements (ATMs) in 2025, representing an 8% increase year‑on‑year. This included:

• 34,868 international movements

• 28,348 domestic movements

• 185,998 seaplane movements

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The continued rise in both passenger numbers and aircraft movements highlights VIA’s expanding operational capacity and the Maldives’ sustained appeal as a global travel destination. With ongoing infrastructure upgrades and increasing airline interest, the airport is positioned for further growth in the coming years.