Velana International Airport (VIA), among South Asia's busiest aviation gateways, registered a discernible increase in flight movements during the first five months of 2025, according to data issued by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).
The airport recorded 7,613 arrivals during the period, reflecting a 5.8 percent year-on-year increase from 7,193 flights last year. At the centre of this expansion is a sustained rise in scheduled international services, which continue to account for the majority of inbound air traffic to the island nation.
Between January and May, scheduled operations reached 6,961 flights, up 6.7 percent from the 6,523 reported over the same interval in 2024. The growth has been driven by consistent service from established carriers and a wave of new international entrants responding to heightened demand.
General aviation traffic, by comparison, recorded a modest decline. Movements comprising charter services and private jets fell slightly, with 652 arrivals noted this year against 670 in the corresponding months of 2024, according to MMA data.
The increase in scheduled activity arrives ahead of a pivotal infrastructure milestone: the inauguration of VIA's new passenger terminal, scheduled for 26 July to coincide with Independence Day. Designed to accommodate seven million passengers annually, the facility is expected to broaden airline partnerships and support expanded flight frequencies. Government officials project the upgraded terminal will reinforce the Maldives' tourism sector and elevate the country's standing as a regional hub for international travel.