The Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has announced that Velana International Airport (VIA) has set a new air traffic movement record.
Statistics published by MACL show that VIA recorded a total of 856 air traffic movements, with 605 seaplanes, 114 domestic, 102 international, and 35 general aviation movements on January 7. The total movements is a 275% increase compared to the previous record of 228 movements set on December 22.
A large number of tourists visit the Maldives from November to March, which is considered the peak season for tourism. Many Maldivians also leave abroad for the holidays, which results in high traffic at VIA, the main gateway to the Maldives.
Meanwhile, Maldives Immigration has made major changes to the services at VIA to facilitate the high number of passengers. As such, Immigration has added seven counters for departure and 11 counters for arrival.