Velana International Airport Sees An Astounding Increase In Air Traffic Movements By 42% In Mere 8 Days

Who would have thought tourism would be booming even in an island paradise in the middle of a pandemic, huh? After closure of borders due to the alarming number of coronavirus cases, tourist activities resumed on 15^th July, with the reopening of the borders. Although tourist arrivals and air traffic movements were relatively low at the beginning, things have changed, especially considering this is the year-end holidays.

Things have changed, yes, but records have also been broken. Velana International Airport set their latest record on the highest number of air traffic movements on a single day on 12^th December with a total of 405 air traffic movements. This record, my dear friends, have just been broken two days ago! According to the operator of the airport, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), on 20^th December, a total of 578 air traffic movements were recorded which is a 42% increase in mere 8 days!

On the same day, a total of 5845 international passenger arrivals were recorded, which is the highest number of tourist arrivals on a single day since the border reopening.

MACL reports that the west apron, in front of the current international terminal was being developed speedily for aircraft parking in order to accommodate the increase in number of flights scheduled per day. 

Photos: MACL