Velana International Airport breaks its previous record on the highest number of air traffic movements in a single day on January 7. Air Traffic Management Services of Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) confirmed that on 7 January, there were 108 International air traffic movements, 94 domestic air traffic movements and 442 seaplane air traffic movements at Velana International Airport.
644 is the highest ever recorded air traffic movement of Velana International Airport since its official opening on in April 1966. This is an increase of 77 air traffic movements compared to the previous record of 567 air traffic movements on January 2 of the previous year.
The increase in international flights is evident of a strong growth in Maldivian tourism sector, with 1.3 million tourists visiting the country in 2017.