According to passenger statistics published by Velana Airport, international passengers accounted for the largest share, with 1.04 million passengers recorded during the period.
Velana Airport
Velana International Airport (VIA) handled approximately 1.62 million passengers during the first half of 2026, reflecting continued passenger activity across international, domestic and seaplane operations.
According to passenger statistics published by Velana Airport, international passengers accounted for the largest share, with 1.04 million passengers recorded during the period. Domestic passenger traffic stood at 242,104, while 341,792 passengers travelled through the airport’s seaplane operations.
The airport also recorded significant daily passenger volumes during the second quarter. The highest daily passenger throughput for wheel-based travel was recorded on 5 April 2026, when 18,924 passengers passed through the airport.
For seaplane operations, the highest daily passenger throughput was recorded on 12 April 2026, with 5,707 passengerstravelling through the seaplane terminal.
Velana Airport recorded a total of 48,966 air traffic movements during the period.
Of these, 6,714 movements were international, while 5,957 were domestic. Seaplane operations accounted for the largest share, with 36,295 movements recorded during the first half of the year.
The figures highlight the significant role of Velana International Airport as the Maldives' primary aviation gateway, serving both international visitors and domestic travel while supporting the country's extensive seaplane network.
The passenger figures come as the Maldives continues to see strong travel activity in 2026, with international aviation and domestic connectivity remaining key components of the country's tourism infrastructure.
