Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has revealed the number of private jets arriving in the Maldives in 2022 has increased significantly compared to 2019 and is the highest number of private jets recorded to arrive so far.
General Manager at MACL Hassan Arif told reporters at the welcoming ceremony of the 1.6 millionth tourist arrival in the Maldives that the number of private jets and aircraft movements increased compared to 2019. He said that the number of private jets arriving in the country increased by 53% and aircraft movements increased by 10% this year compared to 2019. As such, a total of 2,610 private jets have landed at Velana International Airport (VIA) so far this year compared to the 1,702 last year. In addition, aircraft movement stood at 27,000 this year up from 24,000 in 2019, according to MACL.
MACL stated that the number of tourist arrivals in 2021 was 1.4 million, including domestic and international passengers. The number of passengers landing at VIA this year is expected to reach two million.