Velana International Airport (VIA) has won the Indian Ocean's Leading Airport Award in at World Travel Awards.

VIA has won the title after three years of losing out to Sri Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius.

VIA also won the Indian Ocean's Leading Airport Award in 2017 and 2018 after the airport was rebranded as Velana International Airport.

Prior to that, the airport won the award for four consecutive years since 2013, when in operation as Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

As Male' International Airport, the airport won the Indian Ocean's Leading Airport Award in 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2012 as well.

VIA won the Indian Ocean's Leading Airport Award this year after competing with Mauritius, Réunion, Madagascar, and Seychelles.