Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) has revealed that the number of private jet landings at Velana International Airport has surpassed 2,600 this year.

Speaking to the press after marking the arrival of the 1.6 millionth, General Manager at MACL Hassan Areef noted that the air traffic movement has increased in 2022 in comparison to that of 2019, adding that eight new airlines had begun operations in time for the peak season this year. 2019 remains the year with the highest number of tourist arrivals recorded in the Maldives.

Airlines that started operations for the peak season this year include Wizz Air, British Airways, Air France, Australian Airlines, Neos, Euro Wings, Condor, LOT Polish Airlines, and IAT Airways.

Hassan also highlighted that while British Airways has been noted as an airline that operates to the Maldives during the peak season, they have begun permanent operations in the Maldives. He further stressed that the increase in the number of operational airlines would increase the number of tourist arrivals as well.

He also stressed that this year had seen a great increase in air traffic movement, adding that the number of private jet landings this year has increased by 53 percent in comparison to 2019. He added that air traffic movements had increased by 10 percent overall.

The total number of private jet landings in 2019 was 1,702 while the number is currently at 2,600 in 2022. By November, there was 24،864 air traffic movements in 2019, the number is currently at 27،296 in 2022.